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Chapter 13 Local Government

Terms in this set (26)

Incorporated
a place with an officially organized government that provides services to residents
city charter
a document that grants power to a local government
Home rule
the power granted by state legislatures to cities to manage their own affairs
Ordiances
City laws
strong-mayor system
a city government in which the mayor has strong executive powers
Weak-mayor system
a city government in which the mayor's authority is limited
At-large elections
citywide elections in which council members run for office
Special district
a unit of government that deals with a specific function
Metropolitan area
a central city and its surrounding suburbs
What are the 3 Types of Government?
-strong mayor system
-weak mayor system
-special district
What sets up the powers and duties of local governments?
State constitutions usually set up the powers and duties of local governments
How is power divided in a mayor-council form of city government?
One is a strong system and the other is a weak system
How is the city manager selected?
City councils may hire or fire city managers, though, so managers are careful when applying policies.
How are powers divided in a commission form of city government?
For these reasons, most cities that had used a commission form of government have switched to a council-manager or mayor-council form of government
What is the most common example of a special district?
The local school district
What is a Metropolitan Statistical Area?
The U.S. Census Bureau calls a central city and suburbs with a population of 50,000 or more a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
County
the largest territorial and political subdivision of a state
county seat
the town where the county courthouse is located
What are the Jobs of county board of commissions
-Legislature
-Adopting ordinances
-annual budget
-levying taxes
-administering laws
-enforcing laws
What is the job of a sheriff?
The department carries out court orders and manages the county jail
Town
a political division of a county; a type of local government
Town meeting
a meeting in which people of a town discuss and decide on issues
Township
a political division of a county
What are the smaller political units of counties?
-Town
-Township
-villages
What do selectmen do?
a group of officials called "selectmen" to run the local government
Who runs the government of a village?
Most villages are governed by a small board of trustees, who are elected by the voters.
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