TODAY (Wednesday) Blog

Overview of Local Government

The concept of local government is deeply rooted in our national heritage. Small communities were the beginnings of the United States. 

Local governments can be more responsive to citizens than state and federal government, but the limitations are that local units need the cooperation of other entities to deal effectively with bigger issues such as transportation and pollution.

There are four main types of local government- 

counties, cities and town, 

special districts, and school districts.

• ·         Counties are the largest units of local government, numbering about 8,000 nationwide. They provide many of the same services provided by cities.
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• ·      Municipalities include cities, villages, and boroughs and they number about 19,000 in the United States. Often called city government, municipalities provide services such as police and fire protection, parks and recreation, streets and sewers, among others.
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• ·         Most of the more than 15,000 school districts in the U.S. operate independently of city government.
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• ·         The 33,000 special districts nationwide are organized to provide one or more services such as water and sanitation, mosquito control, transportation, parks and recreation, flood control, etc. Special districts have the authority to levy taxes and to spend public money.

  

Counties:

 In Washington State there are 39 counties that are headed by county commissioners. Commissioners are elected officials who make policy decisions for the county.  Each county government may operate a little differently based on the population and the special needs of the area. Some counties have much higher populations than others as well as unique needs based on that population and the area in which it is located.

The following positions are either elected or appointed/ hired depending on what county you live in.

·         Clerk and Recorder -records deeds, keeps records and maps of the county

·         Sheriff -keeps and preserves the peace

·         Coroner -determined the cause of death when it is not known

·         Treasurer -received and pays out all money of the county when directed by the county commissioners. Assessor -collects property tax from residents

·         Surveyor -represents the county in boundary disputes -establishes boundaries in the county

·         Building and Zoning -issues building permits for houses and businesses

·         Courts -Civil, criminal, juvenile, traffic, probate, small claims

·         Health -birth and death certificates, food service licenses, nursing homes

·         Housing Authority -housing assistance

Cities/Towns:

 In Washington State there are approximated 281 cities and towns. The Mayor and City Council are the elected officials who make policy decisions for each city.

·         The day-to-day operations of cities are carried out by people who are hired, not elected, to their job. Here are some departments in cities. Some departments exist only in larger cities. Compare where you live to this list.

o   PUBLIC SAFETY -Fire -Safety -Animal Control

o   PUBLIC WORKS -streets, water, sewers

o   RECREATION -Parks and open space -sports programs -bike paths -golf courses -pools -recreation centers -senior and youth centers

o   PLANNING -issue building permits for news houses and businesses -plan for the future -supervise city regulations regarding sign codes, etc.

o   ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS -enforces environmental laws

o   AIRPORT - manages the airport

o   LIBRARY -maintains the library

o    LEGAL DEPARTMENT - city attorney- provides legal advice to the city -municipal judge- tried cases involving minor offenses

1.       What is a city/town?

A city is a unit of government that has certain rights and responsibilities to its citizens. Cities collect taxes, make contracts, provide services, and make laws of ordinances for the health, safety, and well-being of its residents.

2.       Who are the leaders?

The elected leaders of a city are the mayor and city council members. In some cities people elect the mayor. In other cities a council member is elected by his/her fellow city council members to be mayor. Only in large cities is the mayor a full-time job. The mayor and city council members make policy decisions about the way the city is run. The people who carry out the policy decisions of the city council are not elected. They are hired employees of the city. The city council hires a city manager or city administrator to manage the daily operations of the city. He/she in turn appoints department heads who are responsible for activities within their departments. Public works, Finance, Planning and Building, Parks and Recreation, and Public Safety (fire and police) are examples of city departments. The City must also have a City Attorney for handling legal issues, a Municipal Judge who presides over the court, and a City Clerk who handles records and documents of the city.

3.       How are cities/towns funded?

Cities depend heavily on sales tax revenue. That means the city collects a percent of every item or service purchased within its boundaries. Cities also receive revenue from fees such as water service to your home, and licenses such as dog or bike licenses. 

School Districts

School districts are units of local government that provide education to children from kindergarten through high school. In some districts adult education and preschool programs are also offered. School districts are headed by an elected school board who hires a superintendent to supervise the daily operations of the district. In Colorado there are over 176 public school districts.

1. What is a School Board?

School boards are set up by the Colorado legislature as a body of elected officials who are responsible for making policy decisions for the school district in their jurisdiction. School boards have the authority to own property, sue and be sued, and to enter into contracts. School boards determine educational programs, adopt textbooks and discipline codes, create a yearly budget, and establish a school calendar, among other responsibilities.

1.       Who are the leaders?

There are no fewer than five and no more than seven board members from each district. The board elects a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The president and vice president are elected for two-year terms.

2.       How are School Boards funded?

Public schools in Colorado are funded approximately 45% through property taxes collected by individual counties. Additional funding (55%) comes from the state general fund, although the percentages may vary from district to district.

3.       What is the history of School Boards?

 The history of public education in the United States is deeply rooted in our heritage. The Puritans came from England to the New World with an appreciation of education. Initially children were schooled at home, but as towns grew so did the need for a town school. As early as 1642 the colony of Massachusetts appealed to the colonial legislature to enact a law requiring parents and schoolmasters educate children and teach them to read. Town selectmen were responsible for enforcing the education laws as the details of education had become too burdensome and time consuming for individuals to administer directly. In the 1700’s the practice of collecting taxes to pay for schools was well established. By the end of the century the “central town” distributed tax money to each parish, or district that surrounded it so it could maintain its own school.

4.       How are School Boards formed?

The Washington State Statutes grants both the power and the responsibility to school boards to provide free quality public education to citizens of Washington. Voters decide whether or not to form or reorganize school boards.

5.       What powers do School Boards have?

The Washington State Statutes grants school boards certain powers as a local government. These include the power to hold property, sue and be sued, and engage in contracts. 

Special Districts

Special districts are units of local government that are formed by citizens to meet a particular need. There are over 800 special districts in Washington State and their boundaries may cross more than one county. They are run by an elected board of directors, who hires employees to assist with daily operations. Services provided through special districts are: -mosquito control -public parks -safety protection (traffic and safety controls) -sanitation -water -fire protection -street improvements -T.V. relays and translators -cemeteries -hospitals -airports -RTD -flood control

6.       What is a Special District?

When was the last time you turned on the water in your house, or rode your bike on a major street in your town without falling into a pothole? It is likely that a Special District made that possible for you. Special Districts are a unique form of local government because they are almost “invisible.” You don’t hear a lot about them, but there are over 800 Special Districts in Washington. Special Districts are governments whose boundaries cross over city and county lines. Special Districts are forms to provide one or more specific services to citizens. For example, in Washington there are metropolitan (city) park and recreation, fire, hospital, sanitation, water, and water and sanitation districts. However, Special Districts also provide services such as mosquito control, television relay, and museums.

 2. How are they funded?

Special Districts are funded (get their money from) property taxes. That means if you own property, every year you are taxed by the county. The amount of tax is based on how much your property is worth. A part of that tax goes to the Special Districts in the county.

 3. Who are the leaders?

Most Special Districts are run by a board of elected members who meet regularly and who are paid a small amount of money each year for their efforts. Some larger Special Districts have members who are appointed, either by a County Commissioner or by the Governor.

Your assignment for this blog is to be the teacher. You will create a quiz and will "test" other students on Monday. 

Write down fifteen questions and answers based on the above information. You will turn this in as an assignment. 

Read ALL of the text ... no skipping or skimming... because your teacher just might give you a pop quiz as well!!

Comment here on what you did today or in the last few days that was FUN.  Your teacher misses you and wants to hear happy news. :)