Civics: Government and Economics in Action 1 Chapter 12: Local Government.

Civics: Government and Economics in Action

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Chapter 12: Local Government


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Chapter Links

Section 1“Types of Local Government”

Section 2“Local Government Services and Revenues”

Section 3“Conflict and Cooperation Between Governments”


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Main Idea:

There are many varieties of local government. Certain governmental structures are ideal for small towns. Large city governments are organized in a different way.

Key Terms:•Board•Ordinances•Municipality

Section 1“Types of Local Government”

Section Outline:I. Counties and Townships

II. New England Towns

III. Special Districts

IV. Cities


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Counties and Townships• Counties

– Colonial way of dividing land– County Seats (capital of county)

• County Officials– Board: a group of people who manage the business

of an organization– Ordinances: local laws

• Townships– Handled business of rural areas outside of seat


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New England Towns

• New England Towns– Different form of government– Made up of a village and farmlands– Citizens took an active part local government

• Town Meetings

• The closest thing America has to a direct democracy


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Cities

• Municipality– A government that serves people in an urban area.

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City Leaders

• The Mayor-Council Plan– Weak-Mayor plan

• Elected council holds legislative and executive power

– Strong-Mayor plan• The mayor is an executive figure


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Cities (cont.)

• The Council-Manager Plan– Plan where government is run like a business– Manager is “CEO” and free of political pressure

• The Commission Plan– Voters chose several commissioners to direct the

cities’ different departments.

Type of Gov’t Definition Possible Advantage

Possible Disadvantage

Weak-Mayor Elected council holds legislative and executive power

Strong-Mayor The mayor is an executive figure

Council-Manager Plan where government is run like a business

Commission Plan Voters chose several commissioners to direct the cities’ different departments.


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Section Outline:I. Education, Health, and Public Safety

II. Utilities

III. Land Use

IV. Revenue: Paying for Services

Main Idea:

Local governments provide a wide variety of important everyday services. Several sources of revenue help pay for these services.

Key Terms:•Utilities•Zoning•Property Tax•Intergovernmental Revenue•Grant

Section 2“Local Government Services and Revenue”


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Education, Health, and Public Safety

• Education– A very important and the most expensive

aspect of local government

• Health and Welfare– Programs designed to give assistance to

those in need.

• Public Safety– Police and Fire Department (Emergency

Services)


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Utilities

• Utilities– Services needed by the public, such as water, gas,

and electricity.– Sewage treatment, garbage collection

• Planning– Utilities are planned on the local level, where the

needs of the people can best be met.


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Land Use

• Zoning– Local rules that divide a community into areas and

tell how the land in each area can be used.

• The Planning Process– There are many steps in developing land– Commissions look at requests and carefully and

decide how land may be used.


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Revenue: Paying for Services

• Taxes– About 25 percent of local government revenue

comes from a property tax• Property Tax: a tax on land and building

– Some communities employ a local sales tax

• Service Charges and Profits

• Borrowing

• Sharing Revenue


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Section Outline:I. Relations Between Local Government

II. Local and State Governments

III. Local, State, and Federal Governments

Main Idea:

Local governments work with other local governments, their state government, and the federal government to get things done. These working relationships involve both cooperation and conflict.

Key Terms:•Councils of Governments•Home Rule

Section 3“Conflict and Cooperation Between Governments”


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Relations Between Local Government

• Councils and Conferences– Groups that work together to meet the regional

needs.

• Conflict– There is often economic competition between local

governments; especially for businesses.

• Cooperation– Communities work together to provide services

that would be too expensive otherwise.


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Local and State Governments

• Home Rule– The right to write your own charter– Local citizens have always demanded a voice

• Conflict– Sometimes the state government and local

governments experience disagreements.

• Cooperation– State and local governments also work together to

solve problems.


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Local, State, and Federal Governments

• Federal Funding– The federal government helps state and local

governments through various funding programs.

• Conflict and Cooperation– As is to be expected, there is sometimes conflict

between local, state, and federal government; however there is also tremendous cooperation between all three.

Civics: Government and Economics in Action 1 Chapter 12: Local Government.

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