We Built This City . . .
To receive a state charter officially recognizing the government of a locality
Incorporate
Normally the largest territorial and political subdivision in a state
County
Political unit that is larger than a village and smaller than a city
Town
A unit of government that deals with a specific function, such as education, water supply, or transporation
Special district
A county official who determines the cause of death in the deceased
Coroner
A document granting powers to a local government
City charter
A town where the county courthouse is located
County seat
A subdivision of a county that has its own government
Township
A large city and its suburbs
Metropolitan area
The county official charged with enforcing laws
Sheriff
Allows cities to write their own charters, choose their own type of government, and manage their own affairs
Home rule
To have great influence over
Dominate
A gathering of local citizens to discuss and vote on important issues
Town meeting
A community that is near a larger city
Suburb
The county official charged with prosecuting criminals
District attorney
A law, usually of a city or county
Ordinance
Unwilling
Reluctant
Smallest unit of local government
Village
Having many parts connected together
Complex
What "counties" are called in Alaska
Boroughs
An election for an area as a whole; for example, statewide
At-large election
To demand and collect a tax or other payment
Levy
To form a rough or general idea of the cost, size, or value of something
Estimate
Almost the same
Similar
What "counties" are called in Louisiana
Parishes