1. Local Government & Finance

2. Counties, Towns, & Townships
Responsible for administering state law
Largest unit of local govt. in most states
Townships
Smaller than counties

3. Government Structure Governing body
County Board, Board of Commissioners
Usually 3-5 members, smaller county govt.
Board of Supervisors
Larger county govt. – deal w/ administration, taxes, finances, etc.

4. Functions Towns/Townships exist in half of the states (New England)
Responsible for administering state law
Towns/Townships exist in half of the states (New England)
Town meetings

5. Special Districts
Created to perform govt. functions at local levels (ie. School districts)
Can provide school administration, police protection, & park maintenance

6. Cities & Metropolitan Areas
America’s rural-urban shift – 80% of population is in cities
Incorporation- makes a city a legal body
Charter- the mayor is head of one department

7. Forms of City Government
Mayor-Council Form- person in charged is trained pro & is most widely used type of city govt.
Defects:
Depends on capacity of mayor
Disputes between mayor & council stall workings of govt.
Very complicated
Plain City Mayor Jay Jenkins

8. Forms of City Government
B. Commission Form: city’s basic law & declares it a municipal corp.
Defects:
Lack of chief executive
Each tries to draw more $ for own depts.
Lack of coordination

9. Forms of City Government
C. Council-Manager Form- weak, mayor chosen

10. City Planning Planning Growth Need to correct past mistakes
Fed. Govt. helps

11. City Planning
B. Zoning: regulating uses of property in a city’s districts
Residential
Commercial
Industrial

12. Municipal Functions
Everything that a city does

13. Suburban Boom
½ of all Americans live here

14. Metropolitan Areas
Cities & areas around them