in what ways does the function of counties vary from region to region

Learning Objectives

Past the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Identify the differences between canton and municipal governments in terms of their responsibilities and funding sources
• Describe the 2 principal types of municipal authorities and the 3 basic types of county regime

County and urban center governments brand up an important component of the overall construction of the government. Not only do they touch citizens directly; it is also easier for citizens to collaborate with local government officials because their offices and the community's schoolhouse board or city quango meetings are often close by. Despite this fact, voter turnout in local elections tends to exist lower than in state and national elections. Municipal and county governments differ in structure and purpose in several ways.

County Government

County governments serve a larger geographical surface area than cities and towns, but a smaller area than states. They are created by the state government and typically operate under provisions set out in the country constitution. As such, they are essentially administrative units of the country. Demography estimates from 2012 indicate that there are just over three yard counties in the United states.^[1] County systems usually take one of three bones forms: the commission system, the quango-ambassador system, and the council-elected executive system.

The most common grade of county government is the commission organisation. Under this structure, an elected committee, which generally consists of a small number of commissioners, serves as the governing body inside the county, performing all legislative and executive functions. These include adopting a upkeep, passing county resolutions, and hiring and firing canton officials.^[2]

Under the council-ambassador system, the voters elect quango members to serve for a specified period of time, and the council in plough appoints an ambassador to oversee the performance of the government. The administrator serves at the directive of the council and tin can be terminated by the council. The goal of this system is to divide authoritative and policymaking responsibilities between the elected council and the appointed administrator.^[3] Under a council-elected executive system, the voters elect both the members of the council and the executive. The executive performs functions similar to those of the land governor. For case, he or she can veto the actions of the council, typhoon a budget, and provide suggestions regarding public policy.^[4]

Although the tasks they perform can vary from state to state, most counties take a courthouse that houses county officials, such equally the sheriff, the county clerk, the assessor, the treasurer, the coroner, and the engineer. These officials carry out a variety of important functions and oversee the responsibilities of running a county government. For instance, the canton coroner investigates the cause of death when suspicious circumstances are present. The county clerk oversees the registration of voters and also certifies election results for the county. In addition, this officeholder typically keeps the official birth, decease, and matrimony records. The canton treasurer oversees the collection and distribution of funds within the county, while the canton assessor conducts property tax evaluations and informs individual citizens or business owners of their right to contest the appraised value of their holding. Finally, a county engineer will oversee the maintenance and structure of county infrastructure.^[5] In short, counties help to maintain roads and bridges, courthouses and jails, parks and pools, and public libraries, hospitals, and clinics.^[vi] To provide these services, county governments typically rely on property tax acquirement, a portion of sales taxation receipts, and funds from intergovernmental transfers by way of federal or state grants.

City Government

Municipal governments oversee the operation and functions of cities and towns. Census estimates for 2012 evidence just over nineteen,500 municipal governments and about sixteen,500 township governments in the United States.^[7] The vast majority of municipal governments operate on one of two governing models: a mayor-council system or a council-director organisation.

Nether the mayor-quango system voters elect both a mayor and members of the city quango. The metropolis council performs legislative functions and the mayor the executive functions. Nether this organization, the mayor may be given a great deal of say-so or merely limited powers.^[8] Under a potent mayor system, the mayor will be able to veto the actions of the council, appoint and fire the heads of urban center departments, and produce a budget. Nether a weak mayor system, the mayor has little authority compared to the council and acts in a ceremonial capacity equally a spokesperson for the city.^[9]

In a council-manager system of government, either the members of the urban center council are elected by voters along with a mayor who presides over the council, or the voters elect members of the city council and the mayor is called from among them. In either case, the city council will then appoint a city manager to behave out the authoritative functions of the municipal regime. This frees the metropolis council to address political functions such as setting policy and formulating the budget.^[10]

Municipal governments are responsible for providing clean h2o likewise as sewage and garbage disposal. They must maintain city facilities, such equally parks, streetlights, and stadiums. In add-on, they address zoning and building regulations, promote the city's economic development, and provide law enforcement, public transportation, and fire protection. Municipal governments typically rely on property tax revenue, user fees from trash collection and the provision of h2o and sewer services, a portion of sales tax receipts, and taxes on business.

The Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, is home to various sporting events. The stadium get-go opened for business in 2011, and taxpayers financed $146 one thousand thousand of the total cost to build the stadium, an office park, and a youth soccer complex.

^[11]

The International City/County Direction Association (ICMA) provides networking opportunities, professional evolution, and statistical data in lodge to support local government leaders and other individuals throughout the earth. Visit the ICMA Priorities page to acquire what makes a better leader and how you might meliorate your local community.

Summary

County governments can adopt the commission organisation, the quango-administrator system, and the council-elected executive organization of government to carry out their functions, which usually include the piece of work of the sheriff, the canton clerk, the assessor, the treasurer, the coroner, and the engineer. Municipal governments can use the mayor-quango system or the council-manager system and manage services such as the provision of clean water, park maintenance, and local law enforcement. Cities and counties both rely on revenue enhancement revenues, especially property taxes, to fund their provision of services.

Practice Questions

1. What are the primary responsibilities of municipal governments?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having so many levels of subnational governments in the U.s.? Explain.
3. In which level of substate government would you exist near likely to get involved? Why?
4. Is it preferable for representatives in the land legislature to behave as trustees or equally delegates? Why?
5. Do term limits seem to have more advantages or disadvantages? Defend your respond.

Prove Selected Answer

i. Municipal governments are responsible for providing clean h2o also every bit sewage and garbage disposal. They maintain metropolis facilities, such equally parks, streetlights, and stadiums. In improver, they address zoning and building regulations, promote economic evolution, and provide law enforcement, public transportation, and burn down protection.

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Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/amgovernment/chapter/county-and-city-government/

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