Local government

Grants-in-aid-

For example, grants-in-aid are federal funds given to state and local governments for specific projects. The government receiving the funds must meet certain certain standards and conditions, and must often provide some money of its own for the project. Subject to supervision by the federal government.

Do you think it is possible to have a "town meeting" at the state or national level? Why or why not?

I don't believe that it is possible to have a "town meeting" at the state or national level. It's impractical. We can't get every person to vote on important issues.

Town meeting-

In a town meeting, all citizens meet regularly to discuss town issues. After all opinions regarding an issue have been voiced, the people at the meeting vote on that issue. This means that each person has a direct voice in the government.

Township-

6 x 6 miles long. Headed by an elected chairperson or supervisor. Voters also elect a board of commissioners or trustees to make township rules and regulations. An elected constable enforces the laws, and often an elected justice of the peace tries minor legal cases.

Charter-

A charter is a basic plan for a local government that defines its powers, responsibilities, and organization. Only cities under home rule can write their own charters.

City-

A city is the largest type of municipality. They handle everything within their borders. No outside help. They're established from state charters.

County-

A county is a division of state government formed to carry out state laws, collect taxes, and supervise elections in a single small area. Counties are the largest unit of local government. At the head of county governments is a group of officials elected by the voters. This group may be called the county board board of commissioners, county court, or board of county supervisors. This forms the counties' legislative body. County voters also elected several county officials, each with his or her own responsibilities, to make up the executive branch. (Also can be elected a county executive and a county manager.)

How is county government generally organized, and what do counties do?

A county is a division of state government formed to carry out state laws, collect taxes, and supervise elections in a single small area. Provide services to their citizens. At the head of county governments is a group of officials elected by the voters. This group may be called the county board, board of commissioners, county court, or board of county supervisors. These officials form the county's legislative body. County governments also have an executive branch. However, unlike executive branches at other levels of government, county executive branches usually have no single leader. Instead, county voters elect severak ciybty iffucaksk, each with his or her own responsibilities.

Municipality-

A municipality is a unit of local government that is incorporated by the state and that has a large degree of self government. Can include a state's cities, towns, villages, and boroughs.

How are local governments established?

A need for service(s) to be provided in a community.

Town-

A town is a unit of local government, usually larger than a village and smaller than a city. At the elections, townspeople typically elect from three to five officials to manage the town's affairs between town meetings. Only can work well in areas that have small populations. This is a direct democracy.

What iis a town, and why are town meetings important to people in a town.

A town is a unit of local government, usually larger than a village and smaller than a city. In a town meeting, all citizens meet regularly to discuss town issues. After all opinions regarding an issue have been voiced, the people at the meeting vote on that issue. This means that each person has a direct voice in the government.

What is the difference between a town or a village and a special district?

A town is larger than a village; while a special district is smaller than both of them. Villages are governed by a small council, or a board of trustees. The voters also elect an executive or president of the board of trustees to carry out the laws. With towns, the citizens elect 3-5 officials to manage the town's affairs between town meetings. This is a direct democracy. Special district's have the state legislature set up a commission to handle the details of establishing and operating the special district. Commission members may be elected or appointed.

City council-

In this kind of government, the city council is the legislative body.

Explain why it is important that city, state, and national governments cooperate on such projects as road builing.

It's important that they cooperate with each other, so that they can get things done that concern each part of the government.

Block grants-

Like grants-in-aid, block grants are funds given by the federal government to state and local government. Given for broadly defined purposes. However, they must establish a spending plan and report expenditures to the federal government.

What purpose do local governments serve, and why do they cooperate with each other?

Local governments provide services to their citizens. The three levels of government work together to solve common problems. The U.S. Conference of Mayors meets regularly so that the county's mayors may compare problems and discuss possible solutions.

Special district-

People living in a certain area may have a special need. In such cases these people may go directly to the state legislature and ask for a charter to set up a special district. A special district is a unit of government formed to meet many different needs. A special district may include several cities. The state legislature usually sets up a commission to handle the details of establishing and operating the special district. Commission members may be elected or appointed.

Mayor-

The city's chief executive officer.

Sheriff-

The sheriff arrests lawbreakers and carries out the orders of the county courts. In many states, the sheriff is responsible for law enforcement only in the areas of the county that are not part of a city.

In which areas do the three levels of government- local, state, and federal- cooperate.

The three levels of government work together to solve common problems.

Ordinances-

To accomplish this jobo, local lawmaking bodies have the power to pass ordinances, or regulations that govern a community.

Home rule-

Under home rule, a city can write and amend its own municipal charter. This charter, usually written by a commission, must be approved by the voters.

What is the difference between a home-rule city and a city without home-rule power?

Under home rule, a city can write and amend its own municipal charter. This charter, usually written by a commission, must be approved by the voters. Only cities under home rule can write their own charters.

Commission-

Under the commission form of government, a city is governed by a commission that usually consists of three to nine elected officials, or commissioners. The commission acts as the city's legislative body, passing laws for the community.

Strong-Mayor Plan-

Under the strong-mayor plan, the mayor is the city's chief executive officer and has the primary responsibility for running the city's government. For example, the mayor appoints most of the city officials and prepare the city budget.

Strong mayor plain-

Under the weak-mayor plan, the city council holds more power than the mayor. For example, the council appoints the city department heads, who report directly to the city council rather than to the mayor.