Local Gov_t and Finance

American GovernmentLocal Government and FinanceSECTION 1

Counties, Towns, and TownshipsWhat are some differences amongcounties?How are county governments structured?What are the functions of counties?Which aspects of county government needreform?How can we describe the governments oftowns, townships, and special districts?SECTION 2

Counties• A county is a major unit of local government inmost States.• The function of counties varies from State to State.• They may share the functions of local governmentor be the major units of government for rural areas.• Counties vary widely in area and population.SECTION 3

County Government StructureSECTION 4

The Functions of CountiesThe most common functions of counties are:to keep the peace and maintain jails and othercorrectional facilitiesto asses property for taxesto collect taxes and spend county fundsto build and repair roads, bridges, drains, andother such public worksto maintain schoolsSECTION 5

The Need for ReformToo many elected officials so that it is difficult forcitizens to form an informed vote and to find theofficials responsible for a given concern.Too many counties in some States make Stategovernment difficult to manage.SECTION 6

Towns, Townships, and Special DistrictsIn New England and elsewhere, the town or township is amajor unit of local government and delivers most services.The main feature is the town or township meeting, whichis open to all of the town’s eligible voters. It meetsregularly to levy taxes, make spending and other policydecisions, and elect officers.Between town meetings, a small governing body managesthe town’s business.SECTION 7

Towns, Townships, and Special DistrictsSpecial Districts also exist across the country.Most of them are school districts.Special districts provide a service in a wider orsmaller area than is covered by a county orcity.SECTION 8

Cities and Metropolitan AreasWhat are the reasons for America’s shift from arural to an urban society?How are cities incorporated, and what is thefunction of city charters?What are the major forms of city government?Why is city planning necessary?What challenges face the suburbs andmetropolitan areas?SECTION 9

America’s Rural-Urban ShiftIn 1790, 5.1 percent of the population lived in cities.The Industrial Revolution caused many people to moveto urban centers.Farms became mechanized and fewer people grew morefood.By 1900, two-fifths of the nation’s people lived in urbanareasSECTION 10

America’s Rural-Urban ShiftBy 1920, more than half of the population werecity dwellers.Today, over 75 percent live in cities and suburbs.Consequently, the strain on local governments toprovide services to their populations has grown.SECTION 11

Incorporation and ChartersIncorporation is the process by which aState establishes a city as a legal body.A charter is the city’s basic law,its constitution.SECTION 12

Mayor-Council Form of City GovernmentSECTION 13

Commission Form of City GovernmentSECTION 14

Council-Manager Form of City GovernmentSECTION 15

City PlanningPlanning GrowthMost cities have aplanning agency thatconsists of a planningcommission supportedby a professionalstaff.Most federal grant andloan programs requirea master plan forfuture growth.City ZoningZoning is the practice of dividing a cityinto districts and regulating propertyuses.The three uses are generally residential,commercial, and industrial.Each zone is then subdivided.Residential zones may be subdivided intosingle-family, two family, andmultifamily units.Zoning may also determine height andarea limits for buildings.Zoning ordinances must be reasonable.SECTION 16

Municipal FunctionsPublic utilitiesParks andrecreationSanitationPublic housing Building codes Police and fireprotectionAuditoriums and sportsarenasInfrastructure building andmaintenanceSchool and correctionalinstitutionsPublic health facilitiesSECTION 17

Suburbs and Metropolitan AreasThe Suburb BoomAbout half of all Americans livein suburbs.Suburbs grew rapidly afterWorld War II.Americans wanted more room,cheaper land, privacy, and lesspollution and congestion.Businesses moved to thesuburbs for cheaper land, lowertaxes, and a stable labor supply.The move to the suburbs mademany urban areas lessfinancially stable and sociallyinclusive.Metropolitan AreasSome suburbs have difficultymeeting the service needs oftheir residents.Metropolitan areas have beencreated that annex outlyingareas.Special districts are created thatcross the boundaries of countyand city lines.SECTION 18

Providing Important FunctionsWhy do State governments have a major role in providingimportant services?What types of services do State and local governmentsprovide?Why do the amount and types of services available tocitizens vary greatly from State to State?SECTION 19

State Government’s RoleThe U.S. Constitution reserves to the States all thepowers not expressly delegated to Congress andnot specifically denied to the States.State responsibilities are to “establish Justice,ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for thecommon defense, promote the general Welfare,and secure the Blessings of Liberty.”SECTION 20

State and Local ServicesSECTION 21

Variations in ServicesState and localgovernments varyin the amount andtypes of servicesthey offeraccording to thedegree ofurbanization.They also varyaccording tophysical geography(energy supplies,agriculturalresources, andproximity totransportationnetworks and majormarkets).SECTION 22

Financing State and Local GovernmentWhat are the major Federal and State limits onraising revenue?What are the four principles of sound taxation?What are the major tax and nontax sources ofState and local revenue?How can we describe the State budget process?SECTION 23

Limits on Raising RevenueFederal LimitationsStates cannot raise revenuefrom:interstate and foreigncommercethe Federal Government andits agenciesany unfairly imposed oradministered taxtaxes that require confiscatedpropertytaxes imposed for other thanpublic purposesState LimitationsState constitutions limit theState and local taxingpowers.Most constitutions createtax-exempt groups.State codes often setmaximum rates for levies.Some taxes are prohibited.SECTION 24

The Principles of Sound TaxationSubjects contribute in proportion to theirabilities.Taxes are certain and not arbitrary.Taxes are levied at a time and in a mannerconvenient to the contributor.Taxes should not take much more money fromthe people than government needs.SECTION 25

Sources of RevenueSECTION 26

The Budget ProcessEach agency prepares estimates of itsneeds for the upcoming year.Estimates are reviewed by an executivebudget agency.The revised estimates and supportinginformation are presented as thegovernor’s budget.SECTION 27

The Budget ProcessThe budget is considered part by part, fundsare appropriated, and revenue measurespassed by the legislature.The governor supervises the execution ofthe budget approved by the legislature.The execution of the budget is checkedindependently by auditors.SECTION 28