The Structure

& Dynamics Of Local

Governments In USA

Team MembersAbdul QayyumHaisum Rasool

Muhammad Ali ShahMuhammad Sheraz

Rafique

Some Facts• USA have 2 levels of government above the local

level- Government of 50 states- Federal National Government via Constitution of United States

• Typically each state has two separate tiers:- Counties- Municipalities

• Some states have further division of Counties into Townships

• This division is based on & reflects the population density

• There are special purpose local governments as well

• 10th amendment to the US Constitution makes local government under state rather than federal government

Just two more facts

FYILocal government in

the United States originated in the colonial period

1) County Governments2) Town or Township Governments3) Municipal Governments4) Special-Purpose Local Governments

Categories of Local Government in USA

FYIIn India, they have only

two:Panchayats & Municipalities

Backed by State Constitution & Statutes

All states are divided into counties for administrative purposes

Areas and cities withoutCounties operate under aMunicipal Government

County Governments

Backed by constitution & statutes of 20 states

Generally based on geographical subdivision of a county

For a defined area Also formed merely because of

historical circumstances

Township Governments

• Backed by states constitution & statutes

• Provides general government for a defined area

• Generally corresponding to apopulation center of a county

• May be very small or very large or for 38

residents of Village of Lazy Lake, Florida

FYIFor 8 million

people of New York City

Municipal Governments

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Provides public elementary, secondary, and/or higher education

Have sufficient administrative & fiscal autonomy

SPECIAL DISTRICTSAuthorized by state

to provide only one or a limited number of designated functions

“Districts”, “Boards”, “Commissions”, etc.

Maybe for an interstate compact also, serving areas of multiple states

Special-Purpose Local Governments

Some Examples of Individual States

CountiesCitiesTowns VillagesSeparate entities for Schools

& Fire Districts

Selected by the residents & approved by the state; not

by the population or

area.

NEW YORK STATE

FYIIn total, the

state has over 4,200 local

governments

Can make ordinances (local laws)58 CountiesOnly ONE Municipal Entity called

“City”Never had Villages & TownshipsThousands of Special Districts local

governments

CALIFORNIA

REVENUEℓ Taxesℓ Directly from federal

governmentℓ Insurance Trustℓ Loansℓ Charges from higher

education institutions & hospitals

Local Government’s Financial DynamicsEXPENDITURE

ℓ Educationℓ Utilityℓ Police & Fire

Departmentℓ Interest on debt

County Government

s

Township Government

s

Municipal Government

s

Special-Purpose

Local Government

s

Summary of LG setup in

USAFinancial Dynamics

MINUTE DETAIL SCANNERLet’s test your ability of

concentrating during lecture.

ACTIVITY TIME

Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional.

THANK YOU!