government ch. 24 - local government

Ch. 24 Local Government

24-1Structure of

Local Government

Definitions

• County• City / Municipality (incorporated; has charter

from state)• City / Community / Census Designated Area

(CDA) (unincorporated county)• Suburb• Metropolis

County

• Run by County Board of Supervisors • Provides services mandated by state• Provides services to cities and unincorporated communities

Cities vs. Unincorporated County

• San Diego has 18 incorporated cities, and many more unincorporated communities

San Diego County Elected Officials

• Board of Supervisors • Sheriff – patrols, runs jails• District attorney – prosecutes crimes• Treasurer / Tax Collector• Assessor / Recorder / County Clerk

– Assessor – property value – County Clerk – birth certificates, marriage licenses, etc.

County Departments

• Public Safety• Financial & General Government• Land Use & Environmental• Health & Human Services• Community Services

Public Safety

•

Health & Human Services

• Mental Health• Public Health – immunizations, etc.• Seniors / Independent Living• Children – foster care, adoption, etc.

Land Use & Environmental

• Planning• Building Inspection & Permits• Park & Recreation• Air Pollution Control District

Community Services

• Registrar or Voters • Housing• Animal Services• Library

Special Districts

• Schools

• Community colleges

• Water supply

• Landscape and Lighting

Intergovernmental Agencies

• SANDAG (San Diego County Association of Governments)

• TransNet – transportation system development, through half-cent voter-approved local sales tax, in effect since 1987

• MTS (San Diego Metropolitan Transit System)

San Diego Independent Agencies

• Created by California Legislature• Funded by “user fees,” not taxpayer dollars:

– San Diego County Regional Airport Authority– Port District (“Unified Port of San Diego”)

• Member cities: San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach,

Coronado

San Diego

• Went from Council-Manager form to Strong Mayor-Council form in 1995

• Charter overhaul

• Ethics Commission / scandals – Chargers stadium scandal

– Underfunded Pension Fund scandal

24-2Serving Localities

“Big Five” City Services

• Police • Fire• Park & Rec (parks, pools)• Trash (“Sanitation,” “Solid Waste,” “Environmental Services,” “Refuse”)

• Libraries

Other Possible Big City Expenses / Services

• Legal services (city attorneys, public defenders)• Capital expenses

– Roads– Sports facilities – Performing arts centers– Urban renewal / Redevelopment

• Human Services – Childcare (before / after school) – Homeless services

• Community Services– Lifeguards– Public Art

Usually Privately Funded

• Museums? • Symphony?

Private Utility Companies

• Gas & Electric• Telephones• Cable TV

24-3 Challenges of Urban Growth

Redevelopment

• California Redevelopment law • San Diego has 17 Redevelopment areas • Tax increment financing • Community Development Block Grants

San Diego

16 Redevelopment areas

Managed Growth Initiatives

• San Diego – Prop A – 1985

• Oceanside – Prop A – 1987 – Struck down by court in 1995

• Escondido –Prop S – 1998

• San Marcos - ??