structure and function of local government. structure of local government

Chapter 24Structure and Function of

Local Government

Chapter 24Section 1

Structure of Local Government

Local governments have no legal independence.

Each is dependent on its state government.

State constitutions set forth the powers and duties of local governments.

Created by the State

The four basic types of local government are:◦ 1) the county,

◦ 2) the township,

◦ 3) the municipality,

◦ 4) the special district.

Types of Local Government

The county is normally the largest territorial and political subdivision of the state.

Counties vary in number, size, population, power, and influence.

In most metropolitan areas, the county government has been growing more powerful.

The County

In most counties, a county board has both executive and legislative powers.

Board officials are usually elected by the voters.

The county form of government is found in every state except Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Structure of the County

Townships exist in less than half the states, and their powers and duties vary from state to state.

In New England, selectmen now make some of the decisions citizens once made in the direct democracy of a town meeting which became impractical as government grew.

Some towns have hired town managers to perform duties similar to those of county administrators.

The Township

The municipality is an urban unit of government that has legal rights granted to it by the state.

The special district is a unit of local government that deals with a specific function such as education or transportation.

Some states also have a separate tribal government that serves its Native American population.

Municipality, Special District, and Tribal Government

A municipal government may be formed when people in a community ask the state legislature to permit their community to incorporate.

Urban areas in the United States use one of three basic forms of government:◦ 1) the mayor-council,

◦ 2) the commission,

◦ 3) the council-manager.

Forms of Municipal Government

In the most widely used form of municipal government, the mayor-council form, executive power belongs to an elected mayor and the legislative power to an elected council.

There are two types of mayor-council government: ◦ 1) the strong-mayor system◦ 2) the weak-mayor system.

The Mayor-Council Form

The commission form of municipal government combines executive and legislative powers in an elected commission that passes laws and makes policy decisions.

Today only a few American cities use the commission form as there is no strong executive to persuade groups to action or agreement.

Commission Form

Under the council-manager form of government, the executive and legislative powers are separated.

The council acts as a legislative body and makes the policy of the municipality.

A manager carries out the council’s policies and serves as chief administrator.

Council-Manager Form

Chapter 24Section 2

Serving Localities

Local school districts provide most of the money and make most of the decisions regarding the operation of public schools.

Local governments use zoning to regulate the way land and buildings are used.

Police and fire protection make up a large part of the local budget.

Local Government Services

Local governments make vital decisions regarding road maintenance, water service, and sewage disposal and treatment.

Many local governments offer important services to citizens who have special needs and provide recreation and cultural programs for their residents.

Local Government Services

Urban communities differ greatly in size.

Cities are densely populated areas with residential, commercial, and industrial sections.

Cities in the southern and western United States are the fastest growing.

Metropolitan Services

In the nation’s early years, most Americans lived in small towns.

After the 1860s, cities grew faster than towns and villages.

Between 1950 and 1990, suburbs, small towns, and rural areas again attracted many Americans.

Metropolitan Services

Local governments frequently establish special districts to solve problems.

The school district is governed by the school board.

Special Districts

In the 1990s, local governments joined to develop new approaches for handling regional problems.

Cooperative efforts have solved land use, water supply, waste management, and law enforcement problems.

Regional Arrangements

Local governments finance services by levying taxes, such as property taxes.

Most Americans view property taxes as unfair because they place a heavier burden on those with low incomes and may result in unequal public services.

Financing Local Government

Revenue sources for local governments include:◦ local income taxes,

◦ sales taxes,

◦ fines and fees,

◦ government-owned businesses,

◦ bonds,

◦ state grants.

Financing Local Government

Chapter 24Section 3

Challenges of Urban Growth

Municipal governments attempt to manage land use to encourage orderly growth.

This is difficult since population shifts have caused inner cities to decline.

Mayors of large cities in decline appealed to the federal government for help in the 1950s and 1960s.

Population and Housing

The federal government provided massive spending to help cities address their housing problems but the results were not encouraging.

Urban renewal programs added new low-rent public housing, but slowed construction of other types of housing.


For many years, suburbs and smaller communities excluded African Americans and other minorities, and apartment owners discriminated against the elderly, the poor, and families with children.

Many large cities responded to the housing shortage by renovating older housing units.

The federal government also provided loans to local housing authorities through public housing programs.


Large cities face serious social problems.

Unemployment and housing shortages contribute to the problem of homeless people.

The federal government, through the media, has publicized drug abuse and spent huge amounts for drug treatment and prevention programs.

Social Problems

Large cities also have many problems that add to their financial burdens.

The infrastructure of older large cities shows severe signs of wear and needs repair.

Local governments encourage the public to use mass transit to reduce traffic and air pollution.

Meeting Future Challenges

Cities struggle to solve their financial problems, and recently have focused on stimulating greater economic development.

Beginning in the 1980s, middle income suburbanites and recent immigrants moved into the cities, often restoring old houses and other buildings.

While this improved many neighborhoods, it also displaced residents.


In the 1980s, the nation’s attention seemed to be shifting from city problems to suburban opportunities.

Many people feel that metropolitan government must be reorganized to serve a larger region and to reduce government waste and duplication of services.
