Georgia's Local Government (AKS 48 a and b) PDF

Georgia’s Government: LOCAL GOVERNMENT (AKS 48 a and b) © Brain Wrinkles  Local Governments: COUNTY © Brain Wrinkles © Brain Wrinkles  County: Origins A county is an administrative subdivision...

Georgia’s Government: LOCAL GOVERNMENT (AKS 48 a and b) © Brain Wrinkles  Local Governments: COUNTY © Brain Wrinkles © Brain Wrinkles  County: Origins A county is an administrative subdivision of a state or territory. Counties serve as ways for people to be represented in state government (General Assembly). In 1777, Georgia’s Constitution established 8 counties (mostly along the coast). Today, there are 159 counties (2nd most in nation behind Texas) in Georgia, as determined by the Constitution no more can be added. Why so many? In the early days of Georgia counties were formed to not be larger than a person on a horse could ride to the county seat (essentially the capital of the county), conduct business, and return home the same day. © Brain Wrinkles  County Facts Fulton County is the most populous county in Georgia with 1,066,110 (2020 Census) and Taliaferro County the least populated at 1,559 Gwinnett County is the second most populated county in Georgia at 957,062 (2020 census) and the most diverse county in the state. Ware County (Waycross) is the largest in area at 903 square miles and Clarke County (Athens) is the smallest at 121 square miles. © Brain Wrinkles © Brain Wrinkles  Fu nct u rp ose ion P Le ad ers © Brain Wrinkles  Countywide Elected Offices There are four countywide elected offices in each county and one group elected from districts in the county. The Sheriff - an individual who is responsible for enforcing the law, maintaining the peace, and serving as the jailer for a county government. The Tax Commissioner - an individual who is responsible for receiving tax returns, maintaining tax records, and paying taxes for a county government. The Clerk of the Superior Court - primary record keeper for the county The Judge of the Probate Court - an individual who oversees property deeds, marriage licenses, wills, and supervises elections in a county government. The County Commissioner/Board of Commissioners - power to adopt ordinances, oversee the daily operations of a county’s government. © Brain Wrinkles  CITY GOVERNMENT © Brain Wrinkles  City Government There are 538 cities in the state of Georgia that have governments and another 77 that are so small they have no formal government. To form a city there must be a municipal charter from the state. Many other areas are deemed “communities” or “unincorporated” but may have signs marking their existence. Atlanta is the largest city in Georgia with 498,868 people (2020 census, only counts in the city limits) and Edge Hill with only 21 is the smallest. Lawrenceville has a population of 30,557 (42nd largest city in Georgia). Peachtree Corners is the largest city in Gwinnett County at 42,237. Gwinnett County has 16 incorporated cities (although parts of 4 of those cities cross over into other counties). * coming soon, the new city of Mulberry © Brain Wrinkles  Cities in Gwinnett County © Brain Wrinkles  Purpo se Leade rs n Origi Fu nct ion © Brain Wrinkles  City Government The forms of government of Georgia’s counties are standard across the state. However, in cities, there are three main forms of government: weak mayor-council, strong mayor-council, and council-manager. In all three forms, citizens elect members to the city council. © Brain Wrinkles  Atlanta has a strong mayor-council form of government. © Brain Wrinkles  Buford, GA has a council-manager form of government. © Brain Wrinkles  Pu rpo se d ers Le a Fu nc tio n © Brain Wrinkles  MARTA Train (an example of special purpose districts) © Brain Wrinkles  Funding Local Government ( AKS 48 b) Like the national and state government, local governments must also be funded to protect and provide services for their citizens. Like the national and state government there are a variety of ways, especially taxation, by which local government obtains funding Use this link for a chart about funding local government and some scenarios. © Brain Wrinkles  Factors relating to local government spending The availability of funds, including state and federal grants. What the citizens vote for in terms of leadership and referendums Economic factors like economic downturns, inflation, and interest rates Social and demographic change, population age, and personal income shifts © Brain Wrinkles  Community fire departments are a key service provided by local governments. Video on the City of Atlanta Fire Department (6:46) © Brain Wrinkles