Local Government and Onondaga County Practice Flashcards

This set of flashcards covers vocabulary and key concepts for Unit Four: Local Government, focusing on general structures, Onondaga County, and the town and village of Marcellus.

Unitary style of government

A system where states hold all power within their borders (excepting the US Constitution) and have the authority to create local governments.

General subdivisions

Local government types, including counties and towns, which are directed by state law.

Municipalities

Densely populated areas, such as cities and villages, that require more extensive government services.

Special districts

Independent units created for a specific purpose, such as water, light, sewer, fire, or schools.

County

The major state subdivision responsible for administering state laws, including police, jails, tax collection, roads, and records.

Parishes

The specific term used for counties in the state of Louisiana.

Boroughs

The term used for counties in Alaska; also used to refer to the five counties within New York City.

Board of Supervisors

A county governing body where each town sends one representative with legislative powers, and the board appoints administrators for executive actions.

Board of Commissioners

A county governing body where representatives are elected from population-based districts and an executive official is elected separately.

District Attorney

The chief legal officer and prosecutor in a county, such as William Fitzpatrick in Onondaga County.

Comptroller

The chief financial officer of a county, such as Marty Masterpole in Onondaga County.

OCRRA

The Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency, which manages trash through a Waste-to-Energy facility and recycling.

Town

A subdivision within a county that administers state laws for roads, parks, sanitation, and building codes.

Town Meeting

A New England style of town government based on direct democracy with no elected representatives.

Planning Board

An appointed body that ensures town growth is orderly.

Zoning Board

An appointed body that considers variances of town regulations.

Referendum

A direct vote by residents on a specific proposal, such as a school district budget vote.

Village

A small municipality in a dense population area that must request a Charter from the state to provide extra services like sidewalks and street lights.

Hamlets

Concentrations of people that are not incorporated as a government, such as Amber or Fairmount.

Mayor-Council

A city government form with an elected legislature (council) and a separately elected executive (mayor).

Commission form of government

A city government where the elected council has no single executive, and each member serves as the head of a different department.

Council-Manager

A city government form where the elected legislature hires a professional manager to serve as the executive.

Assessment

The process of determining the estimated monetary worth of land and buildings for tax purposes.

Asset Property Value (APV)

The value calculated based on property size, age, location, and type to determine property tax obligations.

Property Tax Calculation

The tax bill determined by dividing the $APV$ by $1000$ and multiplying by the local government's set tax rate.

Onondaga County and Friends

North and Around: Oswego, Oneida, Madison, Cortland, Cayuga.

County’s Purpose, Creation, and Legislative

Created by the states to administer state laws, has a board of commissioners, and elects Sheriff, District Attourney, and Clerk. Appoints Chief Fiscal Officer and Head of Parks. Examples: Onondaga County

Town’s Purpose, Creation, and Legislative

Created by the county to administer state laws, has a Town Board with Councilors on it, and elects the Clerk, Highway Superintendent, and Tax Collector. Appoints Park and Rec. Examples: Marcellus and Skaneatles.

Distirct’s Purpose, Creation, and Legislative

Created by the people that want 1 specific thing; an independent unit created to perform one (or more) functions. Has a Board of Education with a President, and elects all of the Board Members. Appoints Superintendent and Business Administrator. Example: Marcellus and Skan.

City’s Purpose, Creation, and Legislative

Created by the people who live there to provide more government services. Has a Common Council with a Mayor, elects the Councilors, City Court Judges, and Auditor. Appoints PArks and Rec. Examples: Syrcause and Buffalo.

Village’s Purpose, Creation, and Legislative

Created by the people who live there to provide extra services that the Town may not. Has a Village Board with a Mayor. Elects Mayor and Trustees. Appoints Clerk and Treasurer. Examples: Marcellus and Skan.

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Mike Johnson

My US Representative

John Mannion

My 2 US Senators

Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand

Chief Justice of the US

John Roberts

Governor of NY

Kathy Hochul

County Sherrif

Tobias Shelley

County District Attourney

William J. Fitzpatrick

My County Legislator

Richard McCarron

Marcellus School Board Members

Amy Bartlotta, Peter Chapman, and Shawn Edie

Marcellus Town Councilors

Terry Hoey, Percy Clarke lll, and Karen Polland

Onondaga County Comptroller

Marty Masterpole

County Clerk

Emily Essi