1. Local Government SOL 8A

2. Units of Local Government  Counties  Towns  Cities  Local government exercise executive, legislative, and judicial power  ***Get their power from the state constitution

3. Board of Supervisors  Acts as legislative branch  Positions are elected  Enact ordinances  Local laws  Adopt annual budget

4. School Board  Oversees all K-12 schools  Elected positions  Superintendent works closely with school board

5. Judicial Branch  State courts resolve judicial disputes  Circuit court  District court  Juvenile and domestic relations court  Small claims court  Damages cannot exceed $5,000

6. Elected Positions  Sheriff  In charge of county police  Clerk of circuit court  In charge of maintaining court records  Commissioner of revenue  Assess property and other types of private property  Can help file taxes  Treasurer  Receive, record, and deposit money collected from various taxes

7. Individuals  Have the greatest influence in local government

8. Counties vs. Cities  Not all counties and cities have the same powers  Cities have charters listing their power