All Mixed Up
The elected head of a city, town, or other municipality.
A Mayor
What is a division of state government formed to carry
out state laws, collect taxes, and supervise elections in a single, small area
A County
How many counties are in PA and which one do we live in
67 - York County
Where is the county seat for York County
York County Court House
The (elected) legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality, or local government area
A Council
This regulates how land will be used
Zoning Board
Chief administrator who is appointed by the city council. He/she is responsible for hiring or firing city employees, preparing budgets, and controlling spending
A Manager
Receives and deposits money for York County; sells hunting, fishing, and dog licenses
Treasurer
What is the length of term for York County's commissioners
4 year term, no limit
What type of government style does York County have
Board of Commissioners style of government
Why were townships originally created
to govern rural areas, maintain roads, and control weeds
What is the major source of revenue for county and local governments
Real estate taxes
What are 2 ways county and local governments can gather money
-Sales tax on products sold in the county
-Per capita taxes, income taxes, local service taxes
-Fees: parking permits for building and having yard sales, garbage bags, and fines for violations of the law
A township is a less densely populated area than a city or a borough and is usually the smallest form of local government
What is an unfunded mandate and provide an example of one
When the national or state government requires a certain service, but doesn’t provide money to pay for these services. Examples can vary
Explain the difference between Dillon's Rule and the Home Rule
Dillon’s Rule: The state legislature grants a charter to the county to set up a local government with certain powers given to it by the state
Home Rule: Counties are considered to have natural powers, thus having some independence from the state. They have more freedom to make decisions about what services to provide to their residents
Zoning Board: Regulates how land will be used.
Sewer and Water Authority: Provides safe and reliable drinking water, and ensures that the sewage and storm water is removed and treated before being released back into the environment
Planning Commission: Proposes plans for future activities and developments
Public Works Commission: Supervises and manages services, such as trash and recycling collection, street lights, and township road maintenance
What are 4 of the major responsibilities of local governments
- Pass local ordinances, such as curfews, snow removal, street lighting, heights of fences and grass
- Set local tax rates (local service taxes)
- Review budget and give final approval
- Provide and organize services to residents – police, fire, road maintenance
- Impose restrictions on residents – building permits and water conservation during droughts
- Consider requests from the residents – listen to the community demands and create ordinances and regulations that support these demands.
What are 4 basic services provided by COUNTY governments
- Maintain roads
- Provide emergency services like York County 911 dispatch center
- Keep records of property ownership, birth certificates, marriages, wills, and estates
- Run elections
- Operate courts and jails
- Offer mental health services/relief to the poor
- Plan how land will be developed
- Provide/maintain recreational parks/facilities
What are 3 services LOCAL governments provide their residents
- Local law enforcement/fire protection services
- Maintain roads within the city, township, or borough – secondary and tertiary roads
- Water and sewage treatment
- Parks and recreational facilities like Kid’s Kingdome and Tri-Township Park
- Garbage removal
Who has the executive and legislative power in a comission, commission/admin (manger), and commission/executive types of county government
Commission: The elected commissioners have executive and legislative powers
Commission/Administrator(Manager): The commissioners have legislative powers, but the appointed county administrator/manager has some executive powers
Commission/Executive: The elected commissioners have all legislative powers, but the county executive possesses all executive powers
What are and describe the 3 different COUNTY government structures
Commission: County commissioners are elected, and they share some power with other elected officials such as the county sheriff, treasurer, coroner, and district attorney
Commission/Administrator(Manager): Elected county commissioners appoint a non-elected individual to serve as the county’s administrator or manager who can be fired by the commissioners if they believe he/she isn’t doing his/her job
Commission/Executive: Along with county commissioners, a separate individual is elected to serve as the county executive.
Tell me what the Controller, Coroner, and Prothonotary all do
Controller: Maintains all accounting records of the
county
Coroner: Investigates and completes death certificates for deaths that occur under suspicious circumstances, operative deaths, and stillbirths
Prothonotary: Keeps and maintains records of all civil cases heard in county court
What are and describe the 4 types of CITY government structures
Mayor-Council (Strong): Person is elected to the city council and represents one of the city’s districts, called a ward. Mayor has actual power
Mayor-Council (Weak): Person is elected to the city council and represents one of the city’s districts, called a ward. Mayor is a figure head
Commission: Person is elected and is the head of one of the city’s departments
Council-Manager: Council-Manager is appointed by the elected city council
Who has the executive and legislative powers in these types of city government: Mayor-Council (Strong), Mayor-Council (Weak), Commission, Council-Manager
Mayor-Council (Strong): The elected city council members hold legislative powers, and the elected mayor holds executive powers
Mayor-Council (Weak): The elected city council members hold both legislative and executive powers
Commission: The elected commission members (usually between 3 and 9 members) possess both legislative and executive powers
Council-Manager: The elected city council members hold legislative powers, and the appointed city manager/supervisor possesses executive powers