Local Governments In Georgia

Mrs. Kim West

8th Grade Georgia Studies

GPS: SS8CG5

Georgia Performance Standards

SS8CG5 The student will analyze the role of local governments in the state of Georgia.

a. Explain the origins, functions, purposes, and differences of county and city governments in Georgia.

b. Compare and contrast the weak mayor-council, the strong mayor-council, and the council-manager forms of city government.

c. Describe the functions of special-purpose governments.

d. Evaluate the role of local government working with state agencies to administer state programs.

Essential Questions• How are COUNTY governments organized

and what is their role in supporting the needs of the citizens?

• How are CITY governments organized and what is their role in supporting the needs of the citizens?

• Why are special-purpose districts needed?

Local Governments in Georgia

• Local governments are divided into 2 different jurisdictions in Georgia:– County Government (Ex. Rockdale)– City Government (Ex. Conyers)

County Government• Georgia has 159 counties, nearly

600 towns – each has a government.

• County: subdivision of a state set up for certain governmental functions.

• Counties were created to serve as districts for carrying out state laws and programs.

County Government• Each county has at least 1 representative in the Georgia

General Assembly.

• Today, Georgia’s counties serve several functions including providing:

• courts of law• holding elections, • building and repairing county roads, and• administering social services programs.

• Counties can also provide services such as:– police and fire protection (public safety),– libraries, – and public transportation.

County Government

• County government officials include:- Sheriff: enforces the law, maintains the peace,

jailer.- Tax Commissioner: receives tax returns, maintains

tax records, pays taxes.- Clerk of the Superior Court: primary record keeper for

the county.- Judge of the Probate Court: oversees property deeds,

marriage licenses, wills, and supervises elections.- County Commissioner/Board of Commissioners:

power to adopt ordinances, daily operation of government.

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 by the elected officials:– county clerk, fire chief, road supervisor,

emergency management director, attorney, planning and building inspector, etc.

• Larger counties have more officials.

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, for example Atlanta Public Schools.

Forms of City Government• Mayor-Council: most common in Georgia

– elected council, elected mayor– weak-mayor system: mayor has little power, figurehead– strong-mayor system: mayor has power to run the city,

propose budget, can veto council

• 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

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– Savannah-Chatham 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 – Grady Hospital.

• Fulton County and the City of Atlanta have separate school systems.

Special Purpose Disticts

• Special purpose districts are government entities created to serve a specific function for the state or community.

• The purpose of a special purpose district is to benefit the well-being of the people.

• Each of these districts is usually headed by a governing board of non-elected officials.

Special Purpose Disticts

• Examples of Special Purpose Districts:– school districts – MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta

Rapid Transit Authority) – Hartsfield-Jackson Airport– Georgia Ports Authority

Funding Local Government• Local governments (city and county) rely on

several sources of revenue (income) also: – Sources of funding include state and federal grants and

taxes on citizens– Ad Valorem Taxes: taxes paid based on the value of

the property, such as cars– 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