1. Chapter 9: Local Government
Section 1: Units of Local Government
Section 2: Town, Township, and Village Governments
Section 3: City Government
Section 4: How Governments Work Together

2. Section 1: Key Terms Municipality City County Sheriff Charter
Ordinances

3. Establishing Local Governments
Local governments are made up of municipalities
Unit of local government that is incorporated by the state and that has a large degree of self- government
It can include a state’s cities, towns, villages, and boroughs
Ex. Municipality of Kingston

4. The Need for Local Governments
Local govts. provide services that make our daily life easier
Garbage pickup, snow removal, etc.
Police, fire protection
Water Conservation
A city is the largest type of municipality.
Bonus: Name the 4 cities that are in Luzerne County

5. County Governments
The highest level of local government is the county.
A county is a division of state govt. formed to carry out state laws, collect taxes, and supervise elections in a small area

6. County Govts. (cont’d) Names vary for the head of county governments
County Board, Board of Commissioners, County Supervisors
Power to pass laws regarding health and safety, collect real estate taxes, sales tax, and personal property taxes

7. Luzerne County Council
Jim Bobeck
Edward Brominski
Elaine Maddon Curry
Harry Haas
Linda McClosky Houck
Eugene Kelleher
Tim McGinley
Rick Morelli
Stephen A. Urban
Stephen J. Urban
Rick Williams

8. County Govts. (cont’d)
County officials are elected by the people of that specific county
Sheriff is in charge of county law enforcement
Not so much in Luzerne County
Coroner
Clerk of Courts
Treasurer
Recorder of Deeds

9. Governments Work Together
The duties of local governments are usually outline in state-approved charters.
Charter is a basic plan for a local government unit that defines its powers, responsibilities, and organization.
The main job of the local govt. is to take care of its people.
That is why they pass ordinances or regulations that govern a community.

10. Section 1: Assessment
Why can local governments provide some services more efficiently than state governments can?
In what ways do counties support state governments?

11. Town, township, and village governments
Section 2
Town, township, and village governments

12. Section 2: Key Terms
Town
Town Meeting
Township
Special District

13. Town Government
Towns first developed as New England colonists built churches and homes
A town is a unit of local government, usually larger than a village and smaller than a city.
Bonus Question:
What is the only town in Pennsylvania?

14. Town Government (Cont’d)
Early on in New England, they created a powerful form of local govt. called the town meeting
A town meeting is where all citizens meet regularly to discuss town issues.
Meeting dates vary based on the town.

15. Townships, Special Districts, Villages
In states like NY, NJ, and PA, they used a special form of govt. called a township.
Townships are located in rural areas with that cover large areas of uninhabited land.
Most township governments have decreased in importance as cities have taken over many of the governmental responsibilities.

16. Townships, Special Districts, Villages
People in a certain area may have a special need and directly go to the state legislature and ask for a charter to set up a special district.
A unit of govt. formed to meet many different needs

17. Kind
Purpose
Town
To govern an area smaller than a city but larger than a village
Townships, Special Districts
Township: to perform a variety of local functions
Special District: to meet an area’s specific need
Villages, Boroughs
To provide services in a growing rural area

18. Section 2: Assessment Why did town meetings develop?
What is the role of the state in the creation of towns and boroughs?
When do rural areas become villages or boroughs?

19. Section 3
City Government

20. Section 3: Key Terms
Home Rule
City Council
Mayor
Commission

21. Home Rule Organization
City sizes vary for place to place
Traditionally cities received their charters form state legislatures.
However states have been granting cities an authority called home rule.
Under this, a city can write and amend its own municipal charter
Luzerne County is now under home rule.

22. Forms of City Government
Mayor-Council
(Weak Mayor
In a weak mayor plan, the mayor has no veto power with all the members of council. A weak mayor’s vote may act as a tie breaker.
Mayor-Council
(Strong Mayor
In the strong mayor plan, the mayor has veto power on the decisions of the council. Mayors also appoint city officials and have power of the city budget.
Commission
In the commission plan, each council member is in charge of a different city department. The mayor’s vote carries the same weight as each of the commissioners votes
Council-Manager
A city manager is appointed by city council to run the city departments. The mayor leads the city politically, and the manager directs the city’s day to day operations

23. Section 3: Assessment How is a mayor-council government organized?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the council-manager form of government?

24. How governments work together
Section 4
How governments work together

25. Section 4: Key Terms
Grants-in-Aid
Block Grants

26. Building Roads Together
In the late 1800s, NJ became the 1st state to use state funds to improve roads
It wasn’t until 1956, that President Eisenhower created the Interstate Highway System
Based off of the German Autobahn
46,000 miles of highway
Federally funded

27. Federal Government Programs
Federal govt. ensures the cooperation of state and local govts. By providing funds to implement important programs
Grants-in-Aid are federal funds given to state and local govts. for specific projects. Ex. Airport construction and pollution control
Must meet certain standards
Must provide some money of their own to the project
Supervised by the Federal Government

28. Federal Government Programs
Block grants are funds given by the Federal govt. to state and local govts. but are given for broadly defined purposes.
State and local govts. develop and carry out the programs and determine how the money is spent
However, they must establish a spending plan and report expenditures to the federal government.

29. State and Local Governments
State and Local officials work together in many aspects
Education
Health and Public Safety
Banking Regulations
Licensing
Accountants, Dentists, Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Nurses, Teachers, and other professionals

30. Section 4: Assessment
Government decisions at any level must not conflict with what national document?
Although all levels of government are involved in education, which government level actually controls the schools? Why?