Chapter 10 - Local Government Flashcards
At-large election
Members of a policymaking body where the elected leaders are elected from the entire area
Bonds
A mechanism by which government borrow money
Council-manager
Organization structure of municipal government where the elected city council hires a manager to supervise all of the administrative departments of the city
Councils of Government (COG’s)
24 regional planning and development councils
To review and comment on proposals from the local governments within its region for obtaining state/federal grants
County Clerk
Public elected official
Main record-keeper of the county records
Commissioners Court
The administrative and legislative body
Four elected commissioners and presided over by the elected county judge
County Judge
Elected by the residents of the county
Perform administrative duties, hear civil and criminal matters
County Tax Assessor-Collector
Elected official form the county
Collects taxes and fees
Handle voter registration
District Attorney
Elected official
serving one or more counties
Represents the county in civil cases, prosecutes criminal cases and renders advisory opinions
Eminent Domain
The right of government to take private property for public use
With payment of compensation
General-Law City
A community with population of 201-5000
With a charter prescribed by state legislature
Home-Rule City
A city with population of more than 5000
With a locally drafted charter
Municipal Utility District (MUD)
An alternative financing method
Creates an independent, limited government
Authorized to issue bonds and levy taxes for utility infrastructure
Preemption
The power of the state legislature to overrule ordinances or actions of home-rule cities
School District
Independent School Districts are created by the state legislature to raise tax revenue to support education in the school
