Category D: Local Branches of Government

Question 1

What is a municipal government?

Answer 1

The municipal government is the governing body of a city, town, or village in the United States. May also be referred to as a municipality.

Question 2

What are the three separate, but equal branches municipal governments are divided into?

Answer 2

the executive branch, legislative branch, and judicial branch.

Question 3

What are the responsibilities of the executive branch of government?

Answer 3

The executive branch oversees day-to-day operations and enforces policies and laws.

Question 4

What are the responsibilities of the legislative branch of government?

Answer 4

The legislative branch writes laws and policies.

Question 5

What are the responsibilities of the judicial branch of government?

Answer 5

The judicial branch interprets laws and policies.

Question 6

Who do the Mobile City Council and the Mayor of Mobile answer to?

Answer 6

Mobile Citizens

Question 7

What are the duties/responsibilities of the Mobile City Council?

Answer 7

The city council serves as the head of the legislative branch and is responsible for the finances and property of their appointed districts within the municipality.

Question 8

What are the duties/responsibilities of the Mayor of Mobile?

Answer 8

The mayor serves as the head of the executive branch and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the municipality. [The mayor oversees employees, makes sure that bills are paid on time, executes municipal contracts, and, in general, performs many of the same functions as CEO of a private corporation. The mayor may veto any permanent action taken by the council.]

Question 9

What are the 3 positions that the Mayor of the City of Mobile directly oversees?

Answer 9

The City Attorney, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, and the Director of Communications

Question 10

How long is the term for the city council members and the mayor?

Answer 10

The mayor and city council serve 4-year terms in the City of Mobile.

Question 11

What are the duties/responsibilities of the City Attorney?

Answer 11

The city attorney serves as the head of the judicial branch and handles all legal matters for the city.

Question 12

What are the 3 departments that the City Attorney directly oversees?

Answer 12

Legal Department, Municipal Court, and Neighborhood Development

Question 13

What 2 departments is the Legal Department of the City of Mobile divided into?

Answer 13

Criminal & Civil

Question 14

What is the difference between criminal cases and civil cases?

Answer 14

Criminal cases allege a violation of criminal law. Civil cases usually involve disputes between people or organizations.

Question 15

What 3 departments is Neighborhood Development of the City of Mobile divided into?

Answer 15

Supplier Diversity, Municipal Enforcement, and Community Housing

Question 16

What are the duties/responsibilities of the Mayor’s Chief of Staff?

Answer 16

The mayor’s chief of staff is responsible for planning, organizing, managing, directing, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the mayor’s office and staff.

Question 17

Who appoints the City Attorney and the Mayor’s Chief of Staff?

Answer 17

The mayor appoints the City Attorney and the Mayor’s Chief of Staff.

Question 18

What are the 5 departments of the local executive branch that the Mayor’s Chief of Staff oversees?

Answer 18

Public Safety Department, Finance Department, Admin Services Department, Public Works Department, and the External & Community Affairs Department

Question 19

What are the duties/responsibilities of the City Clerk?

Answer 19

The city clerk directs the preparation of the weekly city council meeting agenda, attends all council meetings, officially certifies actions taken by the council for approval or veto by the mayor, attests to the correctness of documents executed by the mayor and city council and certifies such matters to various city departments.

Question 20

Who appoints the city clerk?

Answer 20

The city clerk is elected by the city council.