Local Governments Georgia Studies County Governments Serve the

Local Governments Georgia Studies

County Governments Serve the People • Counties protect their citizens through the county police (Sheriff) and county fire departments.

What do counties keep track of? • Counties keep track of important information for their citizens. – Land ownership – Marriage and Automobile licenses – Voter registration

How is a charter similar to a constitution? • Both are plans for government • Both outline the powers of the government • Both identify the boundaries of the government’s authority

What the requirements? • A region must have 200 or more people • Have 2/3 of its land reserved for residential housing and business development

Remaining a municipality • Must hold regular elections • Have at least six official meetings per year • Provide at least three services from an official list.

County Government Responsibilities • • • Build and maintain roads Control licenses for cars and trucks Run Georgia’s welfare programs Voter registration & elections Land ownership records Marriage licenses

County Courts • Each county municipality must have the following courts – Probate court – Magistrate court – Juvenile courts

County Officials • Each county must have the following officials – – – – County Commissioner County Board of Commissioners Clerk of the Superior Court Probate Court Judge County Sheriff Tax Receiver Tax Collector

Similarities Between City Councils and the Legislative Branch • The city council is elected by the citizens of the municipality • The city council makes the laws for the municipality

Services Offered by Municipalities • What are the five most important services counties and cities provide? • Why do counties offer these services?

Special Purpose. Districts • Formed in order to meet the specific needs of the people • Administrative units which aim to accomplish a specific task – – Development Authorities Downtown Development Authorities Recreation & Park Authorities Housing Authorities

Three Main Forms of Municipal Government • In all forms of municipal government, citizens elect members to city council • City council is the legislative branch (makes laws) • Forms vary according to executive branch – Council-manager – Strong mayor-council – Weak mayor-council

Council-manager • City council hires a city manager • City manager is head executive – Decides who is in charge of city services – Runs budget • City also has mayor – member of legislative branch – Can be chosen by mayor or elected by people

Strong Mayor-council • Mayor is a powerful executive officer (elected by voters) – Can veto legislation – Can choose people to run city services – Power to run budget – Influence makeup of city committees

Weak mayor-council • Mayor is elected by voters • Mayor is more for show than for function – No power to choose committee members – No power to veto – No power to run budget