Podcast
Questions and Answers
When a county has a population of more than 8,000, which office assumes the county clerk's role as record keeper for the district courts even as the county clerk continues to maintain records for the constitutional county court and any county courts-at-law?
When a county has a population of more than 8,000, which office assumes the county clerk's role as record keeper for the district courts even as the county clerk continues to maintain records for the constitutional county court and any county courts-at-law?
- County attorney
- County auditor
- District clerk (correct)
- County clerk
Which is not a reason why reformers recommend a short ballot with fewer elected county officials?
Which is not a reason why reformers recommend a short ballot with fewer elected county officials?
- They would be able to engage in long-range planning and eliminate duplication among various county offices.
- They contend that a chief county executive could coordinate county programs.
- They fear that concentrating too much power in a single chief executive invites abuse and threatens personal liberty. (correct)
- They argue it would simplify structure with a single-county executive, which would allow voters to hold one high-profile officer accountable.
The unit road system does which of the following?
The unit road system does which of the following?
- Takes the day-to-day responsibility for roads away from individual county commissioners and places it in the hands of a professional engineer. (correct)
- It can only be created by a petition from the voters.
- Requires each county to spend the same amount on roads and bridges.
- Allows each commissioner to have the same number of road crew in a given district.
Elected county officials hire county employees using:
Elected county officials hire county employees using:
_________ is the merging or joining of responsibilities by county and other local governments.
_________ is the merging or joining of responsibilities by county and other local governments.
Which of the following is a dependent agency and not a special district?
Which of the following is a dependent agency and not a special district?
Which statement about councils of government (COGs) is correct?
Which statement about councils of government (COGs) is correct?
The lessons learned from observing decision making in small cities in Texas:
The lessons learned from observing decision making in small cities in Texas:
Anyone who lives in a metropolitan area is likely to be governed by which of the following?
Anyone who lives in a metropolitan area is likely to be governed by which of the following?
Which of the following is not a special district in Texas?
Which of the following is not a special district in Texas?
All of the following are examples of local governments in Texas except:
All of the following are examples of local governments in Texas except:
According to the Pew Research Center, the American public has a more _________ of local governments than of the national and state governments.
According to the Pew Research Center, the American public has a more _________ of local governments than of the national and state governments.
In Texas, political parties do not:
In Texas, political parties do not:
In 2007, Farmers Branch in Dallas, Texas, passed an ordinance that was upheld by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals; this ordinance was a ban on:
In 2007, Farmers Branch in Dallas, Texas, passed an ordinance that was upheld by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals; this ordinance was a ban on:
All local governments are bound by all of the following except:
All local governments are bound by all of the following except:
The relationship between states and local governments follows from the fact that states have a _________ system of government.
The relationship between states and local governments follows from the fact that states have a _________ system of government.
__________ are creatures of the state and have only as much power as the Texas Constitution and Texas legislature grant them?
__________ are creatures of the state and have only as much power as the Texas Constitution and Texas legislature grant them?
Texas cities are classified as either:
Texas cities are classified as either:
Which of the following statements about a general-law city is correct?
Which of the following statements about a general-law city is correct?
Cities that limit the sale of beer and wine, freeze property taxes for seniors and people with disabilities, increase minimum wage, and place a cap on property tax rates is an example of a(n):
Cities that limit the sale of beer and wine, freeze property taxes for seniors and people with disabilities, increase minimum wage, and place a cap on property tax rates is an example of a(n):
Which of the following allows registered voters to force a sometimes reluctant city council to place a proposed ordinance on the ballot?
Which of the following allows registered voters to force a sometimes reluctant city council to place a proposed ordinance on the ballot?
To become a home-rule city in Texas, a city must have a population of at least:
To become a home-rule city in Texas, a city must have a population of at least:
Voters who wish to repel an existing ordinance can petition the council to hold a(n):
Voters who wish to repel an existing ordinance can petition the council to hold a(n):
Which of the following statements about recall elections is incorrect?
Which of the following statements about recall elections is incorrect?
Which of the following is a limit placed on home-rule cities in Texas?
Which of the following is a limit placed on home-rule cities in Texas?
Which of the following is not a form of local government?
Which of the following is not a form of local government?
In a council-manager form of government, who is responsible for both executing council policies and managing the day-to-day operations of city government?
In a council-manager form of government, who is responsible for both executing council policies and managing the day-to-day operations of city government?
The powers of the city manager come from:
The powers of the city manager come from:
Council-manager government was initiated as part of a reform movement during the:
Council-manager government was initiated as part of a reform movement during the:
In the strong-mayor system, who is responsible for the administration of city policy?
In the strong-mayor system, who is responsible for the administration of city policy?
Which of the following is considered a restriction on the powers of the mayor in some strong-mayor council systems of government?
Which of the following is considered a restriction on the powers of the mayor in some strong-mayor council systems of government?
In a weak-mayor form of government, power is:
In a weak-mayor form of government, power is:
The two largest Texas cities with a mayor-council form of government are:
The two largest Texas cities with a mayor-council form of government are:
Which city governments have officials who act as both executives and legislators?
Which city governments have officials who act as both executives and legislators?
A majority of U.S. cities have all of the following except:
A majority of U.S. cities have all of the following except:
In many cities, some or all of the city council members are elected by voters of the entire municipality rather than from neighborhood districts. This is called a(n):
In many cities, some or all of the city council members are elected by voters of the entire municipality rather than from neighborhood districts. This is called a(n):
Which type of election system has served as the primary means of increasing minority representation on city councils?
Which type of election system has served as the primary means of increasing minority representation on city councils?
__________ voting is an at-large system that permits voters to cast one or more votes for a single candidate.
__________ voting is an at-large system that permits voters to cast one or more votes for a single candidate.
The idea that city hall is best governed by new blood and fresh ideas and that limiting the number of terms for council members is the best way to achieve that goal is known as:
The idea that city hall is best governed by new blood and fresh ideas and that limiting the number of terms for council members is the best way to achieve that goal is known as:
Which factors influence the sources and amount of revenue used to meet a city's budgetary obligations?
Which factors influence the sources and amount of revenue used to meet a city's budgetary obligations?
When it comes to the use of lobbyists to promote the needs of local government, which is an argument not used by critics?
When it comes to the use of lobbyists to promote the needs of local government, which is an argument not used by critics?
Property appraisals in all local governments are done by which of the following?
Property appraisals in all local governments are done by which of the following?
The maximum property tax rate of a general-law city is:
The maximum property tax rate of a general-law city is:
Home-rule municipalities can set property tax rates as high as:
Home-rule municipalities can set property tax rates as high as:
Some Texas cities have taken measures to limit increases in property taxes by:
Some Texas cities have taken measures to limit increases in property taxes by:
A rollback election does which of the following?
A rollback election does which of the following?
Which of the following is not considered a city user fee?
Which of the following is not considered a city user fee?
Local governments use public debt (normally bond issues that must be approved by the voters in a referendum) to fund which of the following?
Local governments use public debt (normally bond issues that must be approved by the voters in a referendum) to fund which of the following?
Which of the following is not a source of municipal revenue?
Which of the following is not a source of municipal revenue?
Although Texas added more people than any other state, most of this growth has been in:
Although Texas added more people than any other state, most of this growth has been in:
Of the ten largest cities in the United States, Texas is home to how many of the largest cities?
Of the ten largest cities in the United States, Texas is home to how many of the largest cities?
Which of the following statements about mandates is correct?
Which of the following statements about mandates is correct?
Which of the following is not an example of a federal mandate?
Which of the following is not an example of a federal mandate?
Which public official is not a member of the Unfunded Mandates Interagency Work Group?
Which public official is not a member of the Unfunded Mandates Interagency Work Group?
Big cities in Texas have suffered less than many other U.S. cities from 'white flight,' urban decay, the evacuation of industry, and declining tax bases; one reason they have escaped some of the worst of these problems is:
Big cities in Texas have suffered less than many other U.S. cities from 'white flight,' urban decay, the evacuation of industry, and declining tax bases; one reason they have escaped some of the worst of these problems is:
Texas cities can keep from being boxed in by suburban 'bedroom' cities using their power of:
Texas cities can keep from being boxed in by suburban 'bedroom' cities using their power of:
Which of the following statements about colonia is incorrect?
Which of the following statements about colonia is incorrect?
All of the following statements about county government are true with the exception of which one?
All of the following statements about county government are true with the exception of which one?
In terms of property taxes, the county is limited to a rate of __________ per $100 of assessed valuation.
In terms of property taxes, the county is limited to a rate of __________ per $100 of assessed valuation.
Which of the following is an optional county power authorized by state laws and various state codes?
Which of the following is an optional county power authorized by state laws and various state codes?
Which county official presides over the commissioners' court?
Which county official presides over the commissioners' court?
The commissioners court acts as a legislature:
The commissioners court acts as a legislature:
The major influence exercised by the commissioners' court over the county offices comes from:
The major influence exercised by the commissioners' court over the county offices comes from:
Which of the following is not a power of a county judge?
Which of the following is not a power of a county judge?
Which statement about a commissioners court is incorrect?
Which statement about a commissioners court is incorrect?
Commissioners are sometimes called __________ because they are responsible for the county roads and bridges within their precincts.
Commissioners are sometimes called __________ because they are responsible for the county roads and bridges within their precincts.
The county sheriff has all of the following functions except:
The county sheriff has all of the following functions except:
Who is the county law enforcement official elected to serve as the process officer of justice of the peace courts and also has general law enforcement powers?
Who is the county law enforcement official elected to serve as the process officer of justice of the peace courts and also has general law enforcement powers?
Which is considered a county's most important financial officer?
Which is considered a county's most important financial officer?
Flashcards
Local Governments in Texas
Local Governments in Texas
Government entities with specific responsibilities and boundaries, operating within the larger framework of state and federal legislation.
Home-Rule Cities
Home-Rule Cities
Cities with populations exceeding 5,000 that adopt their own charters, granting them greater autonomy in setting rules and regulations.
General-Law Cities
General-Law Cities
Cities with populations under 5,000 that operate under state-defined laws, limiting their authority to modify their governance structure.
Strong-Mayor System
Strong-Mayor System
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Weak-Mayor System
Weak-Mayor System
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Initiatives
Initiatives
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Referendum Elections
Referendum Elections
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At-Large Elections
At-Large Elections
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Single-Member Districts
Single-Member Districts
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District Elections
District Elections
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Council-Manager Form of Government
Council-Manager Form of Government
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County Judge
County Judge
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Commissioners' Court
Commissioners' Court
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County Sheriff
County Sheriff
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Constables
Constables
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Tax Assessor-Collector
Tax Assessor-Collector
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District Clerk
District Clerk
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County Clerk
County Clerk
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Appointing Powers
Appointing Powers
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Budget Control
Budget Control
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Special Districts
Special Districts
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Dependent Agencies
Dependent Agencies
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Councils of Government (COGs)
Councils of Government (COGs)
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Regional Organizations
Regional Organizations
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Citizen Involvement
Citizen Involvement
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Observations of Local Governance
Observations of Local Governance
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Suburban and Exurban Areas
Suburban and Exurban Areas
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Unfunded Mandates
Unfunded Mandates
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Study Notes
Local Government Structure in Texas
- Residents in metropolitan areas are governed by municipal and county governments, hospital districts, and school districts.
- Municipal government is not considered a special district in Texas.
- Local governments in Texas include counties, municipalities, and special districts; towns are not classified as a local government.
Public Perception and Political Involvement
- Americans tend to have a more positive view of local governments compared to national or state governance.
- Political parties in Texas do not nominate candidates below the county level or indicate party affiliation on ballots.
Ordinances and Local Regulations
- Farmers Branch's ordinance banning apartment rentals to illegal immigrants was upheld by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Local governments must adhere to federal laws and the U.S. Constitution but are not bound by municipal codes.
Classification and Characteristics of Cities
- Texas cities are categorized as either general-law or home-rule cities.
- General-law cities have populations of 5,000 or less, while home-rule cities require a minimum population of 5,000 to adopt their own charter.
- Initiatives in cities can involve propositions, such as limiting alcohol sales or freezing property taxes for certain demographics.
Elections and Voting Systems
- Initiatives allow voters to propose ordinances, while referendum elections enable the repeal of existing laws.
- Municipalities often use at-large elections, where council members are elected by the entire municipality, instead of by district.
- Single-member districts are significant for increasing minority representation in city councils.
City Government Structures
- Council-manager form of government has city managers responsible for daily operations, followed by strong and weak mayor systems based on administrative powers.
- Strong-mayor systems designate the mayor as the primary executor of city policy, whereas weak-mayor systems distribute power more evenly.
Financial Management and Revenue Generation
- Texas cities manage their budgets based on population size, tax types, and assessed property values.
- Cities utilize public debt for funding capital projects like roads and public facilities, and they rely on user fees for specific services.
- General-law cities have a maximum property tax rate of $1.50 per $100 assessed value, while home-rule cities can set rates as high as $2.50.
County Government Structure and Operations
- Texas comprises 254 counties, operated under strict state regulations limiting their organizational flexibility.
- The county judge presides over commissioners' courts, which act as the legislative body for approving budgets and setting tax rates.
Responsibilities of Elected Officials
- County sheriffs enforce law, while constables serve as process officers for justice courts but do not operate city jails.
- Tax assessor-collectors are crucial financial officers for counties, managing property taxes.
- The district clerk manages records for district courts in counties with over 8,000 residents, while the county clerk handles the constitutional county court's records.
Legislative and Financial Powers
- Commissioners' courts have limited authority to legislate and approve budgets, with significant influence derived from appointing powers and budget control.
- Reformers advocate for shorter ballots to streamline county governance and improve accountability.
Emerging Trends and Challenges
- Suburban and exurban areas have experienced significant population growth, affecting city planning and resource allocation.
- Unfunded mandates from federal levels increase pressure on local governments, prompting debates over their funding and operational autonomy.
- Consolidation of responsibilities among local governments aims to enhance efficiency and cooperation in service delivery.### Dependent Agencies vs. Special Districts
- Crime control and prevention districts are classified as dependent agencies.
- Other options (navigation districts, weed control districts, and airport authorities) are examples of special districts.
Councils of Government (COGs)
- COGs primarily consist of municipal and county governments as members.
- They lack governmental status and jurisdiction over local governments within their areas.
- COGs function as voluntary associations of governments, maintaining their self-government rights without relinquishing authority.
Decision Making in Small Cities
- Observations of decision making in small Texas cities provide insights applicable to larger cities.
- Findings are relevant not only to small cities but also to state and national government contexts.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge with flashcards focusing on Chapter 11 of the Texas government exam, which covers local government structures and special districts. This quiz includes questions about municipal, county, and various special districts in Texas.
