1. Local and City Government

2. 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.

3. LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Power to tax, police/sheriff, construct roads, provide public health care, parks, libraries, and public education
Board of commissioners elected by the people to help organize and provide these services to the residents
CITY GOVERNMENT
(MUNICIPALITY)
535 cities and towns in Georgia
Must receive a charter from the state to create a new town (200 residents, at least 3 miles away from nearest town, 2/3 of land used for residential and business)
Mayor council or council management system
Power to provide local police, license businesses, maintain streets and sidewalks, control traffic, provide water and sewage services

4. 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.

6. 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

8. 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.

9. Special Purpose Districts
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

10. 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

11. Where Do Georgia’s Citizens Live?

12. Georgia is one of the fastest-growing states
Hispanics are the 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

13. The Basic Structure of Georgia State Constitution
Legislators began writing the current constitution in 1977 and it was approved in 1983.
It is broken up into 11 articles and is 89 pages long. The articles outline the rights, rules, regulations, and procedures for both citizens and the state’s government.
The articles include:
Bill of Rights
Voting and Elections
Legislative Branch
Constitutional Boards and Commissions
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
Taxation and Finance
Education
Counties and Municipal Corporations
Amendments to the Constitution
Miscellaneous Provisions

14. The Rights of Citizens
Both the Georgia and the U.S. Constitution include a Bill of Rights outlining the rights of every citizen.
For the most part, both documents have similar rights and freedoms
Such as freedom of religion, speech and freedom of the press.
However, Georgia’s Bill of Rights have several differences as compared to the U.S. Bill of Rights including
Life, liberty and property—No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property except by due process of law
Freedom of Conscience – Each person has the natural and inalienable right to worship God
Banishment and Whipping as punishment for crime – neither banishment beyond the limits of the state nor whipping shall be allowed as a punishment for crime
Fishing and Hunting – The tradition of fishing and hunting and the taking of fish and wildlife shall be preserved for the people and shall be managed by law and regulation for the public good

15. Responsibilities of Citizens
In addition to the rights, citizens of the state and nation also have civic responsibilities.
Some of these responsibilities include:
Paying taxes
Serving on juries
Volunteering
Voting