1. State and Local Government
SSCG17: Demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of state and local government described in the Georgia Constitution.
a: Examine the structure of local governments with emphasis on counties and cities.

2. Georgia Constitution
The most recent Constitution for the State of Georgia was ratified in 1983 and was a culmination of twenty years of discussion and debate
The Constitution of 1983 was the tenth Constitution ratified by Georgia and is reflection of the state’s rich political and social history.

3. Georgia Constitution
There are more than 520 cities and towns in Georgia
159 counties
In other states, there are significant differences between cities and towns.
In Georgia, the law makes no distinctions between cities, towns, or municipalities.
There are often several cities and towns in each county.

4. Georgia Counties
Georgia is unique in that the counties are still the center of politics, even if the cities within the counties are large.

5. Georgia Counties Counties provide certain state programs, such as:
Collecting taxes (property, sales, licenses, etc.)
Overseeing elections and voter registration
Conducting courts of law
Filing official records
Maintaining roads
Providing for the welfare of citizens (administers welfare and public assistance programs)
Sells motor vehicle tags
Probates wills

6. Georgia Counties
The 1983 Constitution added supplementary powers to this list of county duties. Counties are now allowed to also provide:
police and fire protection
garbage and solid waste collection and disposal
public health facilities and services, including hospitals, ambulances, emergency rescue, and animal control
street and road construction, including curbs, sidewalks, and street lights
parks, recreational areas, facilities, and programs
storm-water and sewage collection and disposal systems
water utilities
public housing

7. Georgia Counties (Public Services Continued) public transportation
libraries, archives, and arts/sciences programs and facilities
terminal and dock facilities and parking facilities
codes, including building, housing, plumbing, and electrical codes
air quality control
planning and zoning
Each county in Georgia has at least one elected representative in the Georgia General Assembly.
Even if there are a number of cities and towns in a county, the county seat operates all of those services above.

8. Georgia Counties (Board of Commissioners)
Beginning in 1868, the state began creating the position of county commissioner to administer the general operations of the county.
Today every county has a commissioner; many have a Board of Commissioners (BOC).
As part of general county operations, the BOC must finance county programs and pay the salaries of constitutional officers.
The BOC has the power to adopt ordinances, resolutions, or regulations relating to county property, county affairs, and operation of local government.
To help counties administer state programs and conduct state courts, the state constitution originally created four elected county officers:

9. Georgia Counties (Board of Commissioners)
The BOC has the power to adopt ordinances, resolutions, or regulations relating to county property, county affairs, and the operation of local government.

10. Georgia Counties (County Officers)
To help counties administer state programs and conduct state courts, the state constitution originally created four elected county officers:
Sheriff:
Enforces the law
Maintains peace in the county
Serves as the jailer
(The county police force may supplement the law enforcement ability of the sheriff but does not replace the sheriff).
Tax commissioner:
Receives all tax returns
Maintains the county's tax records
Collects and pays tax funds to the state and local governments

11. Georgia Counties (County Officers)
Clerk of the Superior Court:
Maintains all the court records
Supervises the registration of property transactions
Judge of the Probate Court:
Broad range of powers, mostly unrelated to criminal matters.
Oversees matters pertaining to property deeds
Marriage licenses
Guardianships
Wills
Supervises elections
Administers public oaths of office.