Chapter 4: Local Government Flashcards
What does Louisiana call their county?
Parish
What does Alaska call their county
Borough
What is the purpose of dividing areas into counties
Help provide government services to residents in rural areas
What are services that are provided by the county
Law enforcement, courts, construction roads, public assistance, libraries, health services, fire protection, hospitals
County governments are headquartered by what?
County Seats
County government headquartered in what part of the county?
Most often centrally located
What is another word for board of commisioners
Board of supervisors
How do board duties vary?
Depending on the powers granted to the county but the state
What are some other elected officials?
Sheriff, Tax ambassador, judges, fire marshall, corner
A new form of local government was evolved to meet what standards?
To meet citizens needs
What is the oldest form of city government
Mayor-Council System
What is the process of the mayor-council system?
Voters elect both city council and members
What is the mayor’s role
Chief executive of city government
What is the council’s role
City’s lawmaking body
What is the commission system?
Elected or appointed commissioners with expertise in an area
What is the council manager system?
Elect a city council to run day-to-day city government duties
The council manager system combines what two things?
Democratic rule with professional managment
What is a special-purpose district
When certain functions of the government are specialized so citizens create separate units of government
What may coincide in a special-purpose district
Some districts many overlap and the geographical boundaries of cities/counties may cross
How do special-purpose districts operate compared to other local units
Operate independently from other local units
What functions may the special-purpose districts operate?
Regulating natural resources, providing fire protection, running a hospital/park
What is Dillon’s Rule
Allows those to exercise powers expressly given
What is Home Rule
Allows city government to do anything not prohibited by the state law
What is an Initiative?
Permits voters to put legislative measures directly on the ballot
What is a Referendum?
Enabling voters to reject a measure passed by a legislative
What is a recall
When voters can remove an elected official
What rule reverses dillon’s rule
Home Rule
What is a challenge towards the local government when focusing on who’s watching them?
They are usually closely watched by citizens than state/national government
What do local governments depend on?
Depend on citizens to volunteer their time
What is the payment for those hired by the local government
Very little for the amount of work and time spent
