City Gov
What is a bond?
What is a special district?
A district created for a specific function (water preservation, solar farm, municipal utility district, community college, hospital districts, flood control)
What are some major budgetary issues for local governments?
Pensions
Why is an ISD both a special district and not a special district?
We all live in one
What is a weak mayor-council system?
Mayor has severly limited power
Large number of elected officials and boards
Bonds are backed by the ___
state
Is an ISD a special district?
Yes
What are some major issues for local government in general?
Aging infrastructure
Code implementation
Revenue to debt ratio
Increasing population causing more strain on infrastructure
Cities that are governed by the Texas Local Government Code
What is a strong mayor-council system?
Mayor has power to appoint, prepares budget, can veto the council, few officials are elected
Where do cities get most of their money?
Property taxes (50%)
Where do ISDs get most of their money?
Property taxes
What is a tax abatement?
Reduction or exemption on taxes
What are home rule cities?
When a cities population is greater than 5,000 people, the city may vote to install a charter. The city then governs their own way, assuming it is within the law.
What is a council-manager system?
A city manager is appointed to run the city, all power is concentrated in the elected town council
Where do cities get quite a bit of their money, but it's not their primary source of income
Fees
Who is in charge of running a school district on a day-to-day basis?
The Superintendent
How can local governments encourage economic development in their area?
Tax abatements
Special districts
Subsidies
Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie were singers of this popular band
Fleetwood Mac
What is the commission form of government?
Not used anymore
Voters elect a small commission to represent them and legislate
Does the state fund cities?
yep, about 38% percent of their budget
What is an example of representative democracy in a school district?
Board of Trustees
What is a pension?
A set amount of money paid to an employee after they retire (it makes up a decent chuck of a cities budget)
What is eminent domain?
If the government wants your property for the betterment of the city, they may take it as long as they pay you market value