1. Georgia and the American Experience
Chapter 16:
Local Government and Citizenship
Study Presentation
©2005 Clairmont Press

2. Georgia and the American Experience
Section 1: County Government
Section 2: City Government and Special-Purpose Districts
Section 3: Where Do Georgia’s Citizens Live?
Section 4: Participation in a Representative Democracy
©2005 Clairmont Press

3. Section 1: County Government
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
What are the powers of Georgia’s governor?

4. Section 1: County Government
What words do I need to know?
governor
lieutenant governor

5. County Government
Georgia has 159 counties, nearly 600 towns – each has a government
county: subdivision of a state set up for certain governmental functions
most Georgia counties are run by an elected Board of Commissioners
most counties are set up in a similar manner

6. A Look at One County Camden County used as example
County depends on tourism and Navy’s submarine base for jobs to support economy
Spanish settled area in 1500s – one of Georgia’s original counties
Government led by five-member Board of Commissioners
county administrator hired by the Board to manage day-to-day operations
Woodbine is county seat
School Board: five elected members and elected school superintendent

7. Sharing Services Some city and county governments share services
Fulton County is home to city of Atlanta
Fulton County and city of Atlanta share zoning duties and library system
Fulton and DeKalb counties share a hospital authority
Fulton County and the City of Atlanta have separate school systems

8. Officials in County Government
Most counties have the following elected officials:
commissioners, superior court clerk, probate court judge, sheriff, tax commissioner, coroner
Many officials are appointed:
county clerk, fire chief, road supervisor, emergency management director, attorney, planning and building inspector, etc.
Larger counties have more officials
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9. Section 2: City Government and Special-Purpose Districts
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
How do city governments work in Georgia?

10. Section 2: City Government and Special-Purpose Districts
What words do I need to know?
municipality
mayor-council form
figurehead
council-manager form
special purpose district
ad valorem taxes
user fee
general local option sales tax
special purpose local option sales tax
bond issue

11. City Government municipality: a city with its own government
city receives charter from state legislature
city charter explains what the city government can do
police protection, maintain streets and sidewalks, license businesses, control traffic, provide water and sewerage
some city charters allow for a city-run school system

12. Forms of City Government
Mayor-Council: most common in Georgia
elected council, elected mayor
weak-mayor system: mayor has little power, figurehead
strong-mayor system: mayor has power to run the city, propose budget, can veto council
Council-Manager
voters elect council members
mayor may be elected or appointed
council hires city manager for day-to-day operations of the city
City Commission
voters elect commissioners
commissioners form department heads of the city
mayor chosen by the commissioners

13. City-County Government
some city and county governments merge when the region becomes more urban
can reduce the cost of government
Examples
Athens-Clarke County
Columbus-Muskogee County
Augusta-Richmond County

14. Special Purpose Disticts
Created for a specific job or task
Within certain guidelines, these districts are self-governing
Examples
school districts
MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)
Public Housing Authority
Georgia Ports Authority

15. Funding Local Government
Sources of funding include state and federal grants and taxes on citizens
ad valorem taxes: taxes paid based on the value of the property
user fees: paid by the user of the service
sales tax: added to purchases made in the city or county
general purpose local option sales tax: tax for general use
special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST): approved by voters, adds sales tax to fund special projects such as parks or schools
bond issues: a way for governments to borrow money; interest must be paid on the bonds
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16. Section 3: Where Do Georgia’s Citizens Live?
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
Where do Georgia’s citizens live?

17. Section 3: Where Do Georgia’s Citizens Live?
What words do I need to know?
urban area
rural area
metropolitan area
urban sprawl

18. Where do Georgians Live?
Georgia is one of fastest-growing states
Hispanics are fastest-growing group
Georgia’s has an increasing number of older citizens
Most Georgians (2/3) live in metropolitan area (area in or around a city)
Over 50% of Georgians live in metro Atlanta
Just 50 years ago, most Georgians lived in rural areas – Georgians were mostly farmers

19. Urban Sprawl
In 1960s, people began to move to suburbs – areas near edge of cities
Expansion of suburbs created declines in urban population
Large numbers of people in suburbs cause challenges to infrastructure – not enough roads, utilities, schools, sewerage, etc.
Sprawl can cause traffic and pollution problems and an economic problem for the central city since the number of residents declines

20. Urban Revitalization Effort to attract citizens to live in urban areas
Cities need people to work and live there in order to grow and be healthy
Examples
Atlanta: Sweet Auburn, Little Five Points, Virginia Highlands
Savannah: historic district, Bay Street, Factor’s Walk
Augusta: Riverwalk
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21. Section 4: Participation in a Representative Democracy
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
What duties and responsibilities do I have as a citizen?

22. Section 4: Participation in a Representative Democracy
What words do I need to know?
political party
interest group
lobbyist
general election
citizenship
naturalized citizen

23. Political Parties
Organized groups of people with common ideals – seek to influence government policies
Two major political parties in US:
Democrats
Republicans
Minor political parties also exist
Independents are not part of a particular political party

24. Interest Groups
People who share common goals and objectives who ban together with others for political purposes
May be concerned with labor issues, business issues, agricultural issues, etc.
lobbyist: person paid to represent interest groups in Washington or Atlanta
May support certain candidates in elections if they believe doing so will help their group

25. Voters Major influence of government each election day
Voters decide who will make the decisions for the government
Georgia Election Code guides national, state, and local elections
General election: held each November in even-numbered years to elect major federal and state officials
Other elections may be held as needed for national, state, county or city officials
Voters select most important officials, others are appointed

26. Public Opinion Influences government decisions
News media keep voters informed about issues
Voters can call or write representatives to explain how they want the official to vote or act
Example: Vietnam War; public opinion against the war became so great that leaders had to end America’s involvement

27. Citizenship
If your parents are US citizens or you were born in the US, you have all the rights and protections of the US and Georgia constitutions
Naturalized citizen: foreigner who chooses to become a US citizen
Process to become naturalized citizen requires much time and effort
Responsibilities go along with rights
participation in government (voting, running for office)
upholding the laws of the nation and state
defending the nation against enemies
serve on juries
serving the community
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