1. Local Government Local Gov’t structure is decided by the state Local gov’t must have a Charter Gives them right to collect taxes, give licenses, and maintain safety

2. County Government Early in USA Counties were the gov’t Most people lived in rural (farms) areas Today County = big area w/ several cities San Diego County San Diego, El Cajon, La Mesa, Escondido, Chula Vista, Poway, etc. Counties run courts & more

3. Who Runs county gov’t County Board of Commissioners (3-7+) Pass laws, collect taxes, deal w/roads Deal w/ zoning What you can or can’t do with property Run county jails, courts libraries

4. Other County Duties Sheriff- work for courts, enforce laws County clerk- keep track of paper work License for marriage, business, birth records Treasurer- collect $$,taxes & fees Auditor- says how much your property is worth so for taxes District Attorney (Prosecutor)- Proves that a person has broken the law Lot of other helpers - commissioners Coroner- deals w/ dead bodies

5. Urban vs. Rural Today more people live in Urban (city) areas City has lot of challenges- bigger population City duties: Police, fire, roads, water, transportation, trash Culture & recreation (fun)

6. City Power Cities have to get Charters to work Charter- like a mini-Constitution Gives city power only in the area covered by charter (city limits)

7. City Funding Funds= $$ $$ from Taxes- most from property & sales sometimes income- not much Property- assess by city Bonds- Loans to cities (counties) Also money from state & federal gov’t

8. City Gov’t Depend on the state and city Mayor-Council- executive and board Both elected, one selects leaders of dept. Commission- no executive Elected, lead of dept.s, one serves as leader Council-Manager- Board & Hired Director Council elected, Manager hired-runs city Manager not elected – focus on business not politics

9. Other Types of City Govs New England Towns- Direct Democracy All citizens vote, ok for small town Not showing up and size are issues Townships- Elected trustees People elect trustees to do job of gov’t Trustees make rules & collect taxes Villages & Boroughs- small time Towns of 200, self-run Officials serve part-time

10. Government in Action Local gov’t meetings open to the public Except some special sessions Some show the meetings on TV You can see and hear what the decisions that they are making You can even talk about an issue

11. Ch 10.2 Review Quiz 1. What is a city government? 2. What are the 3 most popular types of city governments? How does each run? 3. What are the main responsibilities of a city government? 4. How does a city government get the money it needs to operate?