Local Government (Unit 7, Lesson 1) Flashcards
Three levels of government
local, state, and federal
What would happen if each level ignored the other?
life would become confusing. City governments might pass laws that conflict with state laws. State governments might ignore federal laws. Citizens would not know which laws to obey.
Supreme law of the land
US Constitution
Relationship of state government to Constitution
All levels of government must obey it. State constitutions, in turn, set up rules that govern the people of each state. These state constitutions must not take away any rights in the Constitution.
How do governments compete?
governments compete for citizens’ tax dollars. A person may have to pay income taxes to city, state and federal governments. Residents may have to pay property taxes to their local governments. State and local governments may collect sales taxes. States and cities compete with each other to attract industry, too.
States are first divided into this
Counties
Counties began here
The South
Plantation owners would meet here
County Seat
Today counties help states by
collecting taxes, supervising elections and enforcing laws, provide social services and create districts for courts
Head of the county government
County Board
Smaller units in the county
Towns, villages, townships
What is a special district?
formed as needed, for libraries, parks, sewage disposal, schools, etc.
A city is the largest type of this
Municipality
Common city problems and responsibilities
such as dealing with health, education, and safety. It must keep traffic flowing smoothly and police on alert to prevent crime and to capture lawbreakers. Trash collection, street lighting, transportation systems, water supply, fire protection, sewage systems – all these and hundreds of other services are the daily business of city governments. Cities also help support libraries, museums, parks, universities, hospitals, and musical groups.
This is how the state legislature establishes city governments
Charter
A charter does this
This is a basic plan for a local governmental unit that defines its powers, responsibilities, and organization.
Home rule
Under home rule a city has the power to write and amend its own charter to deal with local problems.
This is the oldest and most common form of city government
mayor-council plan
The lawmaking body under the mayor-council plan
City Council
Chief executive of the city government
mayor
Districts under mayor-council plan
Wards
How members of council are elected under mayor-council plan
Each ward elects one member
Describe the weak-mayor plan
Here, the city council holds more power than the mayor. For example, the council appoints the heads of city departments. These heads report directly to the city council. In addition, the mayor must obtain the consent of the council to spend money. The weak-mayor plan often results in conflicts between the mayor and the council.
Describe the strong-mayor plan
Under the strong-mayor plan, the mayor has chief responsibility for running the city’s government.
The mayor appoints most of the city officials and can fire them. The mayor can veto bills passed by the council. It is the mayor’s responsibility to make the city budget. When the council has approved a budget, the mayor must see that the city’s money is spent properly.
Describe the commission plan
The commission is the city’s lawmaking body as well as its executive body, and passes the city’s ordinances. Each commissioner heads a department.
The commissioners meet as a group to make the city’s laws. Each commissioner, however, carries out the laws that apply to his or her own department. Either the voters or the commissioners choose one of the commissioners to be mayor. Except for presiding over meetings of the commission, the mayor has the same powers as other commissioners. Sometimes, the voters have found it impossible to elect officials who know how to run each departments. Fewer than 175 cities now use the commission plan of government.
Describe the council-manager plan
Under the council-manager plan, voters elect a city council to act as the city’s lawmaking body. The council then appoints a city manager. The city manager, as the city’s chief executive, appoints the heads of the departments. The city is run by professionals, like a big business firm.
City managers are appointed, not elected, so that they will not face any political pressure. They are given a free hand to run city governments efficiently. If a city manager does not do a good job, the council may fire him or her. The council-manager plan of government has certain disadvantages. Some smaller cities cannot afford the salary required to hire a good manager. Also, some argue that cities are better governed when the voters elect officials.
US Conference of Mayors
The U.S. Conference of Mayors meets regularly so that the nation’s mayors may discuss solutions.
Describe Miami-Dade County Government
The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners is the governing body of unincorporated Miami-Dade County. The government provides services for residents of unincorporated areas. Miami-Dade has a Mayor with the power to veto Commission action items. In January 2007, the Mayor was given additional powers to oversee day-to-day operations. The Mayor can only serve two terms of four years. Current Mayor: Carlos Gimenez.
Commissioners are chosen in non-partisan, single-district elections, and have no term limits. Miami-Dade County is structured into 13 districts. Commissioners serve four-year staggered terms, with elections scheduled every two years. The total population of the 35 municipalities in 2005 was approximately 1,280,878.
Describe Village of Miami Shores Government
The Miami Shores Village Council is made of five elected officials. The Council members are elected to at-large seats throughout the Village. The two individuals receiving the highest number of votes are elected to four year terms. The individual(s) receiving the next highest number of votes is elected to a two year term. The position of Mayor is selected by the Council.
As the Village utilizes a Council/Manager form of government, the Village Council is not involved in the day-to-day operation of the Village. The Council sets the policies, enacts the laws of the Village and appoints members to the various Village Boards. The day-to-day operation of the Village is the Village Manager’s responsibility.
Current Mayor: Herta Holly
