1. Local Governments

2. Local Government
Counties (each with a county seat)
Municipalities – cities, towns, villages, all incorporated with a charter
All municipalities have the ability to expand or annex more land into their boundaries
Both have legislative and executive branches, some have judicial too

4. Types of Municipal Government
Mayor-Council Form
Very common
2 types - strong and weak mayor

5. Weak Mayor Strong Mayor Strong executive powers
Veto power for ordinances (city laws)
Creates budget
Appoints officials
Smaller towns
Authority is limited
Presides over city council meetings and votes in a tie

7. Council-Manager Form Mostly in suburbs
City manager holds executive powers – not mayor
Manager is appointed and not affiliated with a political party

9. Commission Form Commissioners elected
Oversee certain functions— police, fire, finance, health, public works
Meet to form policies— legislators and executives (no separation of powers)
Choose mayor from among themselves

11. Public Services of Local Governments
Police Department
Fire Department
Water/Sewer
Parks
Garbage
Road Construction

12. City v. Town No set definition or qualifications for either
A city is usually differentiated from a town by
Population
Importance
Existence of an urban core

13. Local Government New York City (20 million) Los Angeles (13.1 million)
Metropolis: area composed of a larger city and its suburbs; More than 50,000
New York City (20 million)
Los Angeles (13.1 million)
Chicago (10 million)
Houston (7 million)
Dallas (7.5 million)
Washington, D.C. (6.2 million)

14. Local Government
Special District: unit of local government that controls a specific function and may overlap cities
Example – School districts

15. Statute v. Ordinance Statute: law written by the state
Ordinance: law passed by local government
Example: Wake Forest has a noise ordinance, 9am-9pm: 60 dB, 9pm- 9am: 50 dB
$100 fine for first offense

16. Sheriff v. Police
Sheriff: operates county jail, provides law enforcement for unincorporated parts of a county
Police: employees of the city and provide law enforcement to that city

17. Town of Wake Forest
1909 the North Carolina General Assembly rechartered Town of Wake Forest and granted permission to sell bonds to build a generator and an electric system

18. Town of Wake Forest 2000 Census 12,588 People
Currently 45,000

19. Questions on Town of Wake Forest
Directions: Complete the questions provided using the following website: