ELP ~ Local Government

1. What does the Constitution say about the structure of local governments?

2. What is a charter?

3. What does a charter do?

4. Give 2 other names for counties.

5. Who governs the county?

6. How are these people chosen?

7. What do county commissioners do?

8. What branch would you call the county commissioners?

9. What is an ordinance?

10. What two types of taxes may county commissioners impose upon citizens?

11. List 3 things that county taxes pay for.

12. How can county commissioners also have executive powers?

13. What areas have experienced growth in recent years?

14. What impact has this growth had on county governments?

15. How have some counties responded to the strain placed on it by the demand for increased services?

1. What is the smallest population that can be considered a city?
2. What is a city charter?
3. Define home rule.
4. What are the three main types of city government (excluding metropolitan)?

a.

b.

c.

Mayor-Council

5. Who makes up the legislative branch?
6. Who is the chief executive?
7. Who/what may also make up the city executive branch?
8. What is a ward?
9. How is a member-at-large different from a city council member elected from a ward?
10. List three powers of a "strong mayor." (You may use the chart on p.343)

a.

b.

c.

11. List two powers of a "weak mayor." (Use same chart on p. 343)

a.

b.

12. Why did some Americans originally want a weak-mayor plan?  

Council-Manager

13. Who chooses the city council?
14. Who holds most of the executive power in this form of government?
15. Who chooses this person?
16. Why is it difficult to attract quality business executives to serve as city managers?

17. Why do some Americans disapprove of the council-manager form of government?

Commission Government

17. Who leads the government under this plan?
18. Give an example of the executive power of commissioners.

Give an example of the legislative power of commissioners.

19. Why is the commission form of government "not always efficient?"