Local Governments
Georgia Studies
County Governments
• Each county is represented in the
General Assembly via districting
• Each county has a probate court,
magistrate court, and juvenile court
• Some officials are elected at the county
level
– County commissioners
– Clerk of superior court
– Sheriff
County Government
Responsibilities
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Build and maintain roads
Control licenses for cars and trucks
Run Georgia’s welfare programs
Voter registration & elections
Land ownership records
Marriage licenses
Municipal Governments
• Municipalities have charters (similar to
constitutions)
• Citizens can form a municipality by
asking the state legislature to grant
them a charter
• Must hold regular elections, hold at
least six meetings per year, & provide
services (can vary) to citizens
Three Main Forms of
Municipal Government
• In all forms of municipal government,
citizens elect members to city council
• City council is the legislative branch
(makes laws)
• Forms vary according to executive
branch
– Council-manager
– Strong mayor-council
– Weak mayor-council
Council-manager
• City council hires a city manager
• City manager is head executive
– Decides who is in charge of city services
– Runs budget
• City also has mayor – member of
legislative branch
– Can be chosen by council or elected by
people
Strong Mayor-council
• Mayor is a powerful executive
officer (elected by voters)
– Can veto legislation
– Can choose people to run city
services
– Power to run budget
– Influence makeup of city committees
Weak mayor-council
• Mayor is elected by voters
• Mayor is more for show than for
function
– No power to choose committee
members
– No power to veto
– No power to run budget
Special PurposeDistricts
• Formed in order to meet the specific
needs of the people
• Administrative units which aim to
accomplish a specific task
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Development Authorities
Downtown Development Authorities
Recreation & Park Authorities
Housing Authorities