1. Chapter 25: Local Government and Finance Section 1

2. Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc.Slide 2 Chapter 25, Section 1 Counties There are 3,033 counties in the United States. Counties vary greatly in physical size and populationThe number of counties per State varies. In Alaska, counties are called boroughs. In Louisiana they are parishes.

3. Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc.Slide 3 Chapter 25, Section 1 County Structure Each county has a governing body. –Names for this body vary, though county board is common. –Ex-Cook County board

4. Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc.Slide 4 Chapter 25, Section 1 All county boards levy taxes, borrow money, and pass local laws. They also hire county employees, and manage county property. County Structure, cont.

5. Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc.Slide 5 Chapter 25, Section 1 County Structure, cont. Counties have other elected officials. Nationwide, counties employ some 3 million people.

6. Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc.Slide 6 Chapter 25, Section 1 County Functions Most counties serve rural areas. Common county duties include law enforcement, tax assessment, tax collection, building and repairing roads, and maintaining schools

7. Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc.Slide 7 Chapter 25, Section 1 Special Districts There are many thousands of special districts throughout the nation, providing a wide range of services. –School districts are the most common form of special district.