Local GovernmentsLocal GovernmentsOrganizationOrganization

Power of Local GovernmentPower of Local Government

decides how much decides how much power will be given to the local power will be given to the local government.government.

Dillon’s RuleDillon’s Rule

Dillon’s Rule – said that local government Dillon’s Rule – said that local government could do what the state said they could do what the state said they could do.could do.

Home RuleHome Rule

Home Rule says that local governments Home Rule says that local governments can govern themselves.can govern themselves.

What do we do today?What do we do today?

Today most states Today most states use a mixture of use a mixture of Dillon’s Rule and Dillon’s Rule and Home Rule.Home Rule.

What do they provide?What do they provide?Local Governments provide 6 basic services:Local Governments provide 6 basic services:

How do they provide services?How do they provide services?

Local governments pay for the services Local governments pay for the services they provide 2 ways:they provide 2 ways:

(from local and state governments)(from local and state governments)

How does it affect me?How does it affect me?

How does the local government and its How does the local government and its decisions affect you? Let’s take a look….decisions affect you? Let’s take a look….

LOCAL GOV.

Types of Local GovernmentTypes of Local Government

There are 3 types of Local GovernmentThere are 3 types of Local Government

1.1. City GovernmentsCity Governments2.2. County GovernmentsCounty Governments3.3. Towns and Villages, Township, Towns and Villages, Township,

and Special District and Special District GovernmentsGovernments

3 Types of City Government3 Types of City Government

Mayor-Council PlanMayor-Council Plan

Consists of:Consists of:

(elected head of the city government – (elected head of the city government – enforces the laws)enforces the laws)

(elected members who make the laws for (elected members who make the laws for the city)the city)

Roles of Mayor and CouncilRoles of Mayor and Council

The mayor may be either orThe mayor may be either or

If the mayor’s role is WEAK his power is If the mayor’s role is WEAK his power is very very

If the mayor’s role is STRONG he has If the mayor’s role is STRONG he has

powerpower

Council-Manager PlanCouncil-Manager Plan

Consists of:Consists of:

(elected members who make laws for the (elected members who make laws for the city and hires the city manager)city and hires the city manager)

(a professional, nonpolitical director hired (a professional, nonpolitical director hired by the council who is responsible to the by the council who is responsible to the council)council)

Commission PlanCommission Plan

Consists of:Consists of:

(a group of people – appointed or elected – (a group of people – appointed or elected – to head a department of the city. Passes to head a department of the city. Passes laws and controls spending)laws and controls spending)

(represents the government but has NO (represents the government but has NO power)power)

3 Types of County Government3 Types of County Government

Commission PlanCommission Plan

Consists of:Consists of:

(group of elected supervisors (group of elected supervisors

who make and enforce the laws)who make and enforce the laws)

Commission-Administrator PlanCommission-Administrator Plan

Consists of:Consists of:

(group of elected supervisors)(group of elected supervisors)

(appointed by the board to carry out plans (appointed by the board to carry out plans and policies)and policies)

Council-Executive PlanCouncil-Executive Plan

Consists of:Consists of:

(group of elected supervisors)(group of elected supervisors)

(chief administrative officer who can veto (chief administrative officer who can veto laws passed by the county board)laws passed by the county board)

6 Other County Officials6 Other County Officials

3 Other Governments3 Other Governments

Towns and VillagesTowns and Villages

Consist of:Consist of:

(group of elected supervisors)(group of elected supervisors)

They help run the government for their area.They help run the government for their area.

TownshipsTownships

Various structures but usually consists of:Various structures but usually consists of:

(people elected or appointed to control the (people elected or appointed to control the funds and policy of the area)funds and policy of the area)

Also generally includes:Also generally includes:

Special DistrictsSpecial Districts

Consists of:Consists of:

(a group of elected supervisors) (a group of elected supervisors)

What do they do?What do they do?

Special Districts are set up to provide Special Districts are set up to provide

4 Examples:4 Examples:

How are they funded?How are they funded?

Special districts are funded two ways:Special districts are funded two ways:

oror

from the state, city, or countyfrom the state, city, or county

2 BIG Problems for ALL 2 BIG Problems for ALL Local GovernmentsLocal Governments

If taxes are low, services are cut.If taxes are low, services are cut.

It is not always clear who provides a service It is not always clear who provides a service or who funds it. or who funds it.

Local Government OverviewLocal Government OverviewOther

GovernmentsCity

GovernmentsCounty

Governments

Mayor-CouncilMayor and

Council

Council-ManagerCouncil and

City Manager

CommissionCommission and

Mayor

Town & VillageBoard

TownshipsTrustees

Special DistrictsBoard

CommissionBoard

Commission-Administrator

Board and Administrator

Council-ExecutiveBoard and

County Executive