County Unit System

The county unit system was established in 1917 by the Neill Primary Act.

All 159 counties were classified according to population into one of three categories: urban, town, and rural. Urban counties were the 8 most populous; town counties were the next 30 in population size; and rural counties constituted the remaining 121. Based upon this classification, each county received unit votes in statewide primaries. The urban counties received six unit votes each, the town counties received four unit votes each, and the rural counties received two unit votes each.

Continued to be used until the early 1960s.

Effect of County Unit System

Census data from 1960 illustrates the inequities of the county unit

system. Although the rural counties accounted for only 32 percent

of the state population by that year, they controlled 59 percent of

the total unit vote

The significance of this system was that the rural counties enjoyed

a control of statewide elections that was out of proportion to their

size. As a result, rural votes served to protect such policies as legal

segregation and other aspects of white supremacy by diluting the

influence of more liberal urban voters and of blacks, who were

concentrated in Georgia cities, like Atlanta.

Overturned by Gray v. Sanders which ruled that every vote was to

be given equal weight regardless of where in the state a voter lived.

Local Government

Types of Local Governments

Counties

Cities

Special Districts

County Government

Georgia has 159 counties, nearly 600 towns – each has a government

county: subdivision of a state set up for certain governmental functions

most Georgia counties are run by an elected Board of Commissioners

most counties are set up in a similar manner

Two primary forms of county government

1. Board of Commissioners-

elected officials run the county, including the day to

day operations

2. County manager-Board of Commissioners

The Board sets the policy and the county manager

runs the day to day operations.

Board of Commissioners

voters

•Commissioners makes laws and

serve as head of City or County

•Each department then carries out policy

Health water

finance

police

Parks and

recreation

Council-Manager form of county government

voters

City Council or

Board of Commissioners sets

policy

Finance Water Park and

Recreation

City or County Manager responsible

For day to day operations

Police Health

Officials in County Government

Most counties have the following elected officials:

commissioners,

superior court clerk,

probate court judge,

sheriff,

tax commissioner, coroner

Many officials are appointed:

county clerk, fire chief, road supervisor, emergency management

director, attorney, planning and building inspector, etc.

Larger counties have more officials

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City Government

and Special-Purpose

Districts

City Government

municipality: a city with its own government

city receives charter from state legislature

city charter explains what the city government can do

police protection,

maintain streets and sidewalks,

license businesses,

control traffic,

provide water and sewerage

some city charters allow for a city-run school system

What Cities Can Provide for the People

Services: Police and fire, animal control, parks and recreation, water, solid waste, library

Regulation: Adopt land use and building regulations

Other local legislation/regulations

What entity provides these services if you do not live in a city?

Forms of City Government

Mayor-Council: most common in Georgia

weak-mayor system:

strong-mayor system:

Council-Manager

voters elect council members

mayor may be elected or appointed

council hires city manager for day-to-day operations of the city

City Commission

voters elect commissioners

commissioners form department heads of the city

mayor chosen by the commissioners

Weak Mayor-Council Voters

Elect

Council-has

Executive and

Legislative power

Departments

Water, police, finance, park and

Recreation, carry out policy

Mayor-

limited executive authority

More of figurehead

Strong Mayor Council

voters

Council

Determines policy

and responsible for

raising revenue

Mayor

Has legislative and executive power

Proposes budget and

has veto power over the Council

Departments

Water, police, finance, parks and recreation

Carries out policy

Council-Manager City government

voters

City Council-may appoint a mayor or

Mayor may be elected

Finance Water Park and

Recreation

City Manager-manages the day to

Day operations of the city.

Police Health

City Commission

voters

•Commissioners makes laws and serve as head of City

•Each department then carries out policy

•Mayor chosen by the commission

Health water

finance

police

Parks and

recreation

City-County Government

some city and county governments merge when

the region becomes more urban

can reduce the cost of government

Examples

Athens-Clarke County

Columbus-Muskogee County

Augusta-Richmond County

Sharing Services

Some city and county governments share services

Fulton County is home to city of Atlanta

Fulton County and city of Atlanta share zoning duties and library system

Fulton and DeKalb counties share a hospital authority

Fulton County and the City of Atlanta have separate school systems

Special Purpose Districts

Created for a specific job or task-to provide for the

public good.

Within certain guidelines, these districts are self-

governing

Examples

school districts

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)

Public Housing Authority

Georgia Ports Authority

Where does the money

(revenue) come from to fund a

local government?

ad valorem taxes: taxes paid based on the value of the property

user fees: paid by the user of the service

sales tax: added to purchases made in the city or county

general purpose local option sales tax: tax for general use

special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST): approved by voters, adds

sales tax to fund special projects such as parks or schools

bond issues: a way for governments to borrow money; interest must be paid

on the bonds

Income tax: tax on money earned, often from a job.

Property tax: tax on property owned, like your house

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Revenue

Vocabulary

Local Government Revenue Sources

36% property taxes

20% sales tax

15% user fees

3% licenses and permits

9% intergovernmental funds

14% service charges

4% special use tax (alcohol, utilities, phone)

State vs. Local Revenue sources

State

50% Personal income taxes

30 % Sales tax

4% Lottery

4% motor fuel tax

4% fees and sales

Federal grants

Local

36% property taxes

20% sales tax

15% user fees

3% licenses and permits

9% intergovernmental funds

14% service charges

4% special use tax (alcohol, utilities, phone)

Local Government Expenditures Police

Park and Recreation

Court Services

Emergency Services

Sheriff’s Department

Road and Bridges Department

Tax Assessor

Waste Services

Water Department

Animal Control

Library System

Planning and Zoning

Coroner

Health Department

Contribution to state agencies

State vs. Local Expenditures State

54% Education

23% human services

8% Public Safety-criminal justice

5% interest on debt

5% transportation

2% general govt.

1% economic development

Local-each county or city decides the percentage to allot to each department

Police

Park and Recreation

Court Services

Emergency Services

Sheriff’s Department

Road and Bridges Department

Tax Assessor

Waste Services

Water Department

Animal Control

Library System

Planning and Zoning

Coroner

Health Department

Contribution to state agencies

Citizens’ Role in State and Local Government

Voters

Voters decide who will make the decisions for the

government.

General election: held each November in even-numbered

years to elect major federal and state officials

Other elections may be held as needed for national, state,

county or city officials

Voters select most important officials, others are appointed

Must be 18 and a citizen to vote. YOU NEED TO

REGISTER TO VOTE ONCE YOU TURN 18.

Political Parties

Organized groups of people with common ideals – seek to influence government policies

Two major political parties in US: Democrats

Republicans

Minor political parties also exist

Independents are not part of a particular political party

Your Rights as a Citizen Personal rights-freedom to

pick your friends,

have children,

choose where to live,

Have privacy,

travel

Political Rights Due process of law

Equal protection under the law

Freedom of expression

Economic Rights-freedom to Buy and sell property

Pick your own job

Start a business

Enter into contracts

Your responsibilities as a

citizen

Personal and Civic

Accept the consequences of your actions

Consider the rights of others

participation in government (voting, running for office)

upholding the laws of the nation and state

defending the nation against enemies

serve on juries

serving the community

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