State and Local Government

Unitary Systems

Power retained to national level ex: Vatican, Singapore

Federal System

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units, such as states or provinces.

Confederal System

Power is subnational units ex: failed confederation (1781-1789

What caused growth of metro in US?

Industrialization, post WW2, growing populations, expanding economies, regional commuting, Urban areas crossing boundaries

City/county Consolidations

The merging of city and county governments to improve efficiency and reduce costs, often resulting in streamlined services for residents.

Regional Agreements

Collaborative arrangements between local governments for shared services and resources, often addressing regional issues such as transportation and land use.

Regional Governments

Governmental entities that manage and coordinate services across multiple jurisdictions within a specified region, often aimed at addressing issues that transcend local boundaries.

Annexations

The process by which a city or town expands its boundaries to incorporate adjacent land areas, typically for development or service provision.

Special District

A separate governmental unit created to perform specific functions, such as providing water, education, or transportation services, often with the power to levy taxes and incur debt.

Master Planned Communities

Large-scale developments designed to integrate residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, often with coordinated infrastructure and community services planned from inception.

Why consolidations work?

Address service fragmentation, cost savings, comprehensive planning, improved resource base

Why consolidations DON’T work?

Lose local identity/control, not enough cost savings, poor service delivery, resistance from communities.

What is a regional government?

Regional government is a form of governance that administers a specific geographical area, coordinating services and policies across multiple local jurisdictions to address regional challenges and promote cooperation among communities.

Region can be defined by:

Commuting patterns, economic ties, geography, shared services, cultural identity

Councils of government (COG)

A Councils of Government (COG) is a regional governing body formed by local governments to enhance collaboration and address issues that cross municipal boundaries, facilitating resource sharing and coordinated planning.

Special District

A special district is a regional governmental entity created to provide specific services, such as water supply, fire protection, or public transportation, often funded through taxes and user fees, operating independently from general-purpose local governments.

Master-planned communities

Master-planned communities are large-scale developments designed to provide a cohesive living environment, integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces with planned infrastructure and amenities. ex: Anthem, Arizona

HOA

A homeowners association (HOA) is an organization in a residential community that creates and enforces rules for the properties and residents within its jurisdiction, often managing shared amenities and collecting dues for maintenance.