Chapter 11 Lecture Notes 11 12 12 Role of Local Government Service provider Citizen contact Reflection of political culture Local government largest employer TX 90 000 people Types of Local Government Counties 254 in TX o South and Midwest rely on counties north east not so much Municipalities population center for the county Special districts District set up for a specific purpose o Ex School districts not bound by county or city At least 1 judge and 4 constables in every county in TX Organizing Local Government Counties o Counties and unincorporated communities Housing projects o Counties v cities o Explaining county variance Receiving some of the same stock benefits as if they lived in the city A group of people can apply for a charter depending on how population laws are set up State legislature rules over with general rule 5000 people Once the population goes over 5000 it becomes a home rule city Structure o Commission o Council Executive o Commission Administrator Municipalities o Cities o Townships o Incorporation TX Population minimum 201 in 2 square mile radius Mayor Council Systems Most common Weak mayor systems figure head that reports to council Strong mayor systems Appoint fire Legislative power lies with council at least 6 executive with mayor Most common form of all TX cities Mayor is elected city wide and acts as a CEO although most TX mayors are weak Usually has limited appointment or removal power limited budgetary authority and shares power with other council members Houston mayor Parker stronger mayor than in any other city College Station mayor Nancy Berry Mayor Council in TX Strong mayors o Have appointment and removal powers but require council approval o Supervise budget preparation o Found mostly in smaller cities El Paso and Houston Commission Systems Convergence of executive and legislative power into same group of people Independent commissions Expanded policymaking authority Comes into play in 1900 because of Hurricane in Galveston More responsive Not as popular anymore less than 100 in the nation Designed to be efficient but no single person is in charge Minimal policy and budget oversight Commissioners are elected as policy makers and usually have little administrative skills Council Manager System Professional city management Most popular among home rule states Non partisan city elections Clear distinction between policy making council and administration manager Some councils choose their own mayor from within while others have a mayor as separate position on ballot City manager Make day to day decisions holds the power replaces as soon as something goes wrong Just a figure head Council Manager Creates organizes structures city departments Approves budget Establishes city tax rate Enacts local laws ordinances Hires city manager Administers city Hires assistants and department heads Supervise employees Translate policy directiveness into action Effectiveness depends on relationship with council ability to develop support for recommendations and overall financial and managerial skills Special districts School districts and water districts Annexation Not restricted by boundaries Outnumber every form of government we have School boards are elected Commission Term 6 years all members have staggered term appointed Dillon s law cities exist because the state allows them to They can only make laws that the Local Government Authority state approves Home rule General law Charters o General act charters o Special act charters Urban Challenges Graying of cities Cities aren t young anymore especially the east coast things get run down White flight Whites move to outskirts of town or suburbs o Money is leaving the city Declining infrastructures Take money and time rebuild Crime and violence State federal mandates transportation water air quality disabled services o Difficult for older cities to reach Urban sprawl people moved out property value dropped people purchased and fixed places up YUPPIES move back in
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