Subdivisions of state governments that exercise authority delegated by their stategovernment
The U.S. Constitution outlines the basic relationship between states and the national government, but contains no mention of local government
Dillon's Rule
A narrow interpretation of local authority where local governments have only those powers granted to them by the state, and powers must be expressly granted by constitution or by law
As a political matter, local governments may enjoy substantial autonomy due to wariness of one-size-fits-all solutions and tradition of local governance
Localities in the U.S.
Great diversity in terms of geographic size, population, socioeconomic composition, governing structures, powers and responsibilities, and method of selecting officials
Service function of local governments
Providing services not offered by the private sector due to market failure, natural monopolies, or merit goods
Political function of local governments
Managing conflict over public policy and questions of 'who gets what'
Two broad categories of local governments
General purpose
Special purpose
General purpose local governments
County governments, municipal/city governments, towns and townships
County governments in Texas
Have a dual role: provide basic services and serve as limited administrator for state functions
Council-executive form of county government
Has a county executive or "county mayor" as chief executive, with the board of commissioners acting as the legislature
Council-administrator form of county government
Has a county administrator who answers to the elected commissioners, with the commissioners fulfilling the political function and the administrator overseeing efficient servicedelivery
Some states permit counties more autonomy from the state, allowing county residents to adopt a charter that allows a unique form of organization
Texas counties all use the traditional county commission structure, with the structure and powers defined by the Texas Constitution
The biggest expenses for Texas county governments are law enforcement, roads and bridges, and health and welfare
Texas counties also serve as local administrators for the state
The relationship b/t state & local gov’t is unitary.
Trends in U.S. local governments & governance:• Becoming more urban• Increased demand for more services• Increased centralization & professionalization
Municipal / City Gov’t (~19,500 in U.S; 1,225 in TX)• Responsible for police, fire, parks, streets, sanitation, welfare &(sometimes) education
Towns & townships (~16,000 in U.S.)• Differences w/ municipalities not easily defined• Rooted in history, population, region of U.S.
Special Districts• Usually serve single specificpurpose, such as:• e.g. fire-protection, mosquito-control, MUD, parks, library• Most common type of gov’t, butleast understood & often least transparent!
County Government in the U.S.• Oldest form of U.S. local government
County Government Traditional form is body of commissioners w/ both legislative &executive power
Council-Executive Form More centralized variation on county gov’t• Has a county executive or “county mayor” as chief executive• Board of Commissioners acts as legislature
Council-Administrator Form: Professionalized variation on county gov’t• Has county administrator who answers to elected commissioners
County Government Controls land use for unincorporated land