America and Arizona
Government for Elementary
Teachers
Presentation 14: Arizona Local Government
and Direct Democracy
Presentation Objectives
AEPA Objectives
0016 Understand state and local government in the United
States.
0019 Understand state government and government of
American Indian nations in Arizona.
AZ Social Studies Standard, Strand 3
Concept 2: Structure of Government
County Government
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In-between state and
municipal govts.
Operate jails
Operate hospitals
Prosecute state crimes
Administer social programs
Maintain records
Govern unincorporated
communities
County Plural Executive
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Board of Supervisors
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Set agency budgets
Appoint county staff
Sheriff
Attorney
Recorder
Assessor
Treasurer
Superintendent of Schools
Clerk of Superior Court
County Sheriff
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Enforce State law
Hold prisoners awaiting trial
Provide local law enforcement in unincorporated
areas
County Attorney
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Andrew Thomas
Maricopa County Attorney
Try cases in Superior
Court
Legal representation for
County offices
Plural Executive Controversy
Municipal Government
Two forms of city
government:
Mayoral
City Manager
City Manager Model
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Mayor
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City Council
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Voting member of City
Council
“Head of State” of City
Coolidge City Council
Determines policy and
budget
City Manager
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Manages city
Hires/Fires staff
Bullhead City Organization
City-State relations
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Constitution grants great
deal of autonomy
Cities granted charter by
State
State can pass unfunded
mandates
State can seize set-aside
funds
State can revoke charter
Tempe City Building
District Bodies in State
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Taxing authority
Can set policy within
domain
Governed by laws set
by state
State can seize District
governance
Tribal Governments
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Independent Nations
Subject to Federal
Authority
Provide local
legislative, executive,
and judicial governance
Direct Democracy
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Direct Democracy v. Representative
Democracy
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Direct Democracy in Arizona
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Initiatives
Referendum
Recall
Initiatives
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Signature Gathering
Signature verification
Wording approved
Voters decide
Becomes a law
Protected from
legislative revision
Referendum
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Passed by
Legislature
Pass off tough
decisions
Locks in policy
beyond current
majority
All tax increases
Direct Democracy
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Ballot Propositions
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100 – Constitutional
Amendment
200 – Citizen Initiative
300 – Legislative
Referendum
400 – County and Local
issue
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Recall
Impeachment
v.
Recall
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Petition circulated
Signatures validated
Placed on ballot
Conclusion
This Presentation
This presentation is
courtesy of Brian Dille,
Professor of Political
Science at Mesa
Community College.