Local Governments

Georgia Studies

County Governments• Each county is represented in the

General Assembly via districting• Each county has a probate court,

magistrate court, and juvenile court• Some officials are elected at the county

level– County commissioners– Clerk of superior court– Sheriff

County Government Responsibilities• Build and maintain roads• Control licenses for cars and trucks• Run Georgia’s welfare programs• Voter registration & elections• Land ownership records• Marriage licenses

Municipal Governments• Municipalities have charters (similar to

constitutions)• Citizens can form a municipality by

asking the state legislature to grant them a charter

• Must hold regular elections, hold at least six meetings per year, & provide services (can vary) to citizens

Three Main Forms of Municipal Government • In all forms of municipal government,

citizens elect members to city council• City council is the legislative branch

(makes laws)• Forms vary according to executive

branch– Council-manager– Strong mayor-council– Weak mayor-council

Council-manager• City council hires a city manager• City manager is head executive

– Decides who is in charge of city services– Runs budget

• City also has mayor – member of legislative branch– Can be chosen by council or elected by

people

Strong Mayor-council

• Mayor is a powerful executive officer (elected by voters)– Can veto legislation– Can choose people to run city

services– Power to run budget– Influence makeup of city committees

Weak mayor-council

• Mayor is elected by voters• Mayor is more for show than for

function– No power to choose committee

members– No power to veto– No power to run budget

Special Purpose-Districts

• Formed in order to meet the specific needs of the people

• Administrative units which aim to accomplish a specific task– Development Authorities– Downtown Development Authorities– Recreation & Park Authorities– Housing Authorities