Local Government

What is the Local Government?

The organization of state and local governments varies widely across the United States. They have common specific features, but their organizations differ. Regardless of their design, state and local governments often have a far greater impact on people's lives than the federal government. Marriage, birth, and death certificates. School policies. Driving age and qualifications for licensure. Laws regarding theft, rape, and murder, as well as the primary responsibility of protecting citizens from criminals. These critical issues and many others are not decided by distant Washington authorities, but by state and local officials.

Source: https://www.ushistory.org/gov/12.asp

Four Types of Local Governments

  • Counties. Counties are usually the largest political subdivisions, and their primary function is to administer state laws within their borders. Among other duties, they keep the peace, maintain jails, collect taxes, build and repair roads and bridges, and record deeds, marriages, and deaths. Elected officials called Supervisors or Commissioners usually lead counties.

  • Townships. These units of government do not exist in about half the states, and they have different responsibilities in those that have them. A township may simply be another name for a town or city, or it may be a subdivision of a county.

  • Special Districts. These units of government have special functions. The best known example is the local school district, but other types are growing in numbers, especially in heavily populated areas where county and city governments may be overloaded with work.

  • Municipalities. City, town, or borough governments get their authority to rule only as it is granted by the state. Today about 80% of the American population lives in municipalities, and municipal governments affect the lives of many citizens. Municipalities may have elected mayors, or they may be managed by appointed city managers.

Source: https://www.ushistory.org/gov/12.asp

County Commissioners

North Carolina counties are legal entities capable of holding and managing property and possessed of many powers conferred on by law. Through its board of commissioners, the county exercises its powers and discharges its responsibilities. North Carolina General Statute 153A-12 states that "except as otherwise directed by law, each power, right, duty, function, privilege and immunity of the corporation [i.e., the county] shall be exercised by the board of commissioners." This statute goes on to say that if a power is "conferred or imposed by law without direction or restriction as to how it is to be exercised or performed," the power or responsibility "shall be carried into execution as provided by ordinance or resolution of the board of commissioners."

City Council

As local legislators, councilmembers are responsible for and responsive to the citizens who elected them. Depending on the city’s charter and state laws, they may perform the following functions:

  • Review and approve the annual budget;

  • Establish long- and short-term objectives and priorities;

  • Oversee performance of the local public employees;

  • Oversee effectiveness of programs;

  • Establish tax rates;

  • Enter into legal contracts;

  • Borrow funds;

  • Pass ordinances and resolutions;

  • Modify the city’s charter;

  • Regulate land use through zoning laws;

  • Regulate business activity through licensing and regulations;

  • Regulate public health and safety;

  • Exercise the power of eminent domain;

  • Communicate policies and programs to residents;

  • Respond to constituent needs and complaints; and

  • Represent the community to other levels of government.