Local Government
City Governments
City Governments

All local governments
are created by the
state, with their
powers and duties
established in the state
constitutions.
 They are not
mentioned within the
U.S. Constitution.
City Governments

A “municipality” is
defined as an
incorporated place, or
an area that is
officially organized to
provide services to its
residents.
City Governments

All incorporated areas
begin by applying for
a city charter, which
acts like a city
“constitution”.
 Each charter must be
approved by the state.
 “Home Rule” allows
cities to write their
own charters to create
their own
governments.
City Services
Types of City Governments

Charters usually
create one of three
kinds of
governments:
1. Mayor-Council
Form
2. Council-Manager
Form
3. Commission Form
“Mayor-Council Form”

In this form, power is
divided between the
mayor and city
councils.
 “Ordinances” are the
laws that are passed by
this ruling body.
 This is the most
common form.
“Strong-Mayor vs. Weak-Mayor”
Other Forms:

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In the “CouncilManager” form, the
council and mayor make
decisions jointly.
These members are
elected in “at large”
elections.
Usually hire an
administrator to run the
day to day operations.
Other Forms:

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In the “Commission”
form, individual
“commissioners” are
elected and serve as heads
of departments.
Within the group, a mayor
is selected.
The commission serves as
both legislative AND
executive branches.
Special Districts

The most numerous
of all local
governments.
 Usually deal with
specific issues:
– Education
– Water / Sewer
– Transportation
Metropolitan Areas

This form of
government
encompasses the city
center and the
surrounding
“suburbs”.
County Government
County Governments
A “county” is the
largest subdivision of
a state.
 Only Connecticut and
Rhode Island do
NOT have counties.
 Louisiana has
“parishes” and Alaska
has “boroughs”

County Governments

Most counties have a
centrally located
county courthouse,
which serves as the
center of government.
 The “county seat” is
the town that contains
this courthouse.
County Governments

Despite the rising
power of city
governments, the
county still controls
many parts of
government:
–
–
–
–
Elections
Hospitals
EMS
Waste Management
County Governments



Most counties are
governed by a board of
commissioners.
“County Managers” are
often appointed to help
run the day to day
operations of the county
government.
“County Executives” are
newly elected positions in
some counties.
Other County Offices
Towns, Townships, & Villages
Towns, Townships, & Villages

Towns, townships,
and villages are the
smallest political units
of local government.
 Like cities & counties,
they get all of their
power from the state.
Towns, Townships, & Villages



In New England states,
“towns” are the most
common.
Like cities & counties,
they get all of their power
from the state.
“Selectmen” are often
chosen to carry out the
day to day business.
Towns, Townships, & Villages

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“Town Meetings” are
common in these areas,
with a simple majority
decision.
This is known as “direct
democracy”.
In more recent times,
many have become more
“representative” (electing
someone to speak for
them)
Towns, Townships, & Villages



In NY, NJ, PA, and other
Midwestern areas,
“townships” are still
common.
A “township” is a 6 mile
by 6 mile block of land.
“Township Committees”
are selected to run these
governments.
Towns, Townships, & Villages

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
The “village” is the
smallest form of local
government.
Usually created when
residents want to control
their own services.
This usually results in
higher taxes for the
residents.