Chapter 11: Local Government

At-Large Elections

Elections in which city or county voters vote for council or commission members from any part of the jurisdiction.

Charter

A document that outlines the powers, organization, and responsibilities of a local government.

Cities

Incorporated political jurisdictions formed to provide self-governance to particular localities.

City Commission System

A form of county governance in which executive, legislative, and administrative powers are vested in elected commissioners

City Council

A municipality's legislature

City Manager

An official appointed to be the chief administrator of a municipality

Commission-Administrator System

A form of county governance in which executive and legislative powers reside with an elected commission, which hires a professional executive to manage the day-to-day operations of government.

Council-Executive System

A form of county governance in which legislative powers are vested in a county commission and executive powers are vested in an independently elected executive.

Council-Manager System

A form of municipal governance in which the day-to-day administration of government is carried out by a professional administrator.

County

A geographical subdivision of state government

County Commission System

A form of county governance in which executive, legislative, and administrative powers are vested in elected commissioners.

Dillon's Rule

The legal principle that says local governments can exercise only the powers granted to them by state government

General Act Charters

Charters that grant powers, such as home rule, to all municipal governments within a state

Home Rule

The right of a locality to self-government, usually granted through a charter.

Mayor

The elected chief executive of a municipality

Mayor-Council System

A form of municipal governance in which there is an elected executive and an elected legislature.

Municipality

A political jurisdiction, such as a city, village, or town, incorporated under state law to provide governance to defined geographical areas; more compact and densely populated than a county

Special Act Charters

Charters that grant powers, such as home rule, to a single municipal government

Special Districts

Local governmental units created for a single purpose, such as water distribution

Strong Mayor Systems

A municipal government in which the mayor has the power to perform the executive functions of government.

Town Meeting Form of Government

A form of governance in which legislative powers are held by the local citizens

Townships

Local governments whose powers, governance structure, and legal status vary considerably from state to state. In some states, townships function as general-purpose municipalities; in others, they are geographical subdivisions of counties with few responsibilities and little power.

Ward/District Elections

elections in which voters in municipal wards vote for candidates to represent them on councils or commissions

Weak Mayor Systems

A municipal government in which the mayor lacks true executive powers, such as the ability to veto council decisions or appoint department heads.