Local
Government
Structure
We are learning to explain the
structure of the local government.
We are looking for different types of
local governments.
What is Local Government
Structure?
Local governments in Ohio are structured, or
organized, in a variety of ways. They are different
sizes and have different types of leaders who have a
variety of responsibilities. These structures include:
 County
 City
 Village
 Township
*Please note: The word municipal or municipality is used to
describe a township, city, or village.
Local Government Structure:
County
A county is the largest
region of a state that has
a large variety of local
government leaders
including a sheriff, county
council, and court system.
In Ohio we currently have
88 counties! Do you know
what county you live in?
Local County Example:
Cuyahoga County
http://www.cuyahogacounty.us/
Notice how many people are involved in making our county run
smoothly!
Local Government Structure:
City
A city is a densely
populated
municipality that is run
by a mayor or a city
manager and a city
council. There are
currently 251 cities in
Ohio.
Local City Example:
City of Solon
http://www.solonohio.org/
Mayor
Mayor Susan A. Drucker
City Council
Local Government Structure:
Village
A village is a less
populated
municipality than
a city, but is still
run by a mayor or
a city manager
and a group of
council members.
There are
currently 681
villages in Ohio.
Local Village Example:
Village of Glenwillow
http://www.glenwillow-oh.gov/
Mayor and Council Members
Local Government Structure:
Township
A division of a
county, a small
town. Run by a
Board of Trustees or
Representatives.
They usually have
many of the same
responsibilities as
both a mayor and
city council.
However, by law
they do not have
the authority to do
all of the things that
a city council has
the authority to do.
Local Township Example:
Chagrin Falls Township
http://chagrinfallstownship.org/
Township Representatives
(sometimes called Trustees)
Mike Wise
Tom Florkiewicz
John Finley
I thought Chagrin Falls was a
Village? Chagrin Falls has both!
Now it’s your turn!
Local Government Structure
Scavenger Hunt




Visit the following link:
http://Ohio.gov/government/localities
Use the link above to identify one of each kind of
local government structure discussed...you choose
each location. Then explore each website to
determine and record the type of leaders they
have.
Finally, highlight where the county, city, village, or
township is on the map. Hint: You may need to
use google.com to find the specific location!
Let’s try one together! Go to the city/village
website menu and find Aurora. Click “go”. Using
their website we know their leaders include a…It’s
located…