1. Unit 5: Local Government
Georgia Performance Standards:
SS8CG5: The student will analyze the role of local governments in the state of Georgia.

2. Local Government
Many of the day-to-day services that you use are provided by local government.
Examples: Police and Fire Departments, roads, road signs, and traffic lights
Local government focuses on the needs of the citizens, and their services are based on available funds (taxes).
Voters elect the officials who run county and city governments.

3. County Government
The county that you live in has a county seat (oldest city in the county), which has government offices and courts located there.
Most money that county governments need in order to operate come from:
Funds from the federal & state governments
Taxes & fees from local residents
A. Property Taxes: Taxes paid on the value of
land and buildings owned by people.
B. Sales Taxes: Taxes paid on purchases & services
C. Special Purpose Taxes: Taxes that pay for special projects
(build new schools, jails, road, etc.)
D. Fees: Fines & penalties, licenses, and permits
County commissioners set the policies and ordinances (laws/rules) in counties.

4. City Government
Cities in Georgia have one of three forms of government:
Weak Mayor-Council: The elected city council has more power than the mayor.
Strong Mayor-Council: The elected mayor is the city’s chief executive officer and is responsible for seeing that they city’s laws are carried out and each departments do their jobs.
Council-Manager: A city manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city.
The elected officials balance the needs of the city’s residents against the money available. They work to provide as many services as possible to the residents.

5. Douglas County, Georgia
County Seat is Douglasville
Created in 1870
Named in honor of U.S. Senator and Vice President of the Confederate States of America (during the Civil War), Stephen Douglas.
17th largest county in Georgia
133rd county created in Georgia

6. Douglas County, Georgia
Sheriff Phil Miller
Mayor James Dennis

7. Douglas County, Georgia
The City of Douglas has a council-manager form of government.
This means that the Board of Commissioners sets policy, and the city manager’s office oversees the day-to-day operations of the city.
The city manager's responsibilities include:
Carrying out the commission’s policies
Hiring, terminating, and supervising government staff
Preparing a budget
Serving as the commission’s chief
advisor
City Manager is Terrell Jacobs

8. Douglas County, Georgia Board of Commissioners
The citizens of Douglas County are represented by six commissioners and a mayor:
James Dennis, Mayor
Richard Hutchinson, Commissioner Ward One
Marty Swain, Commissioner Ward Two
Olivia Pearson, Mayor Pro-Tem, Commissioner Ward Three
Dennis Josey, Commissioner Ward Four
Ronnie Anderson, Commissioner Ward Five
Bob Moore, Commissioner Ward Six

9. Douglas County, Georgia
Chief of Police, Gary Casteloes
Douglas County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Gordon Pritz

10. Douglas County, Georgia School Board Members
A five member elected board governs the Douglas County School System.
The Douglas County Board of Education is charged with the power of authority to maintain, finance, and make policies to govern the public schools within its jurisdiction.
The superintendent is appointed by the board and is charged with the responsibility of administering the public school program of the Douglas County Board of Education.
D.T. Jackson
Michael Miller
Janet Kelley
Dr. Sam Haskell
Jeff Morris