GCU - Local Governments in Georgia (Lesson)
Local Governments in Georgia
Introduction
Georgia consists of two specific types of local government authorities. The county system and the city system.
Counties were created by the state legislature to serve districts for carrying out state laws and programs. Its county board of commissioners who are elected by county voters and serve 4-year terms leads the county government.
A charter from the state legislature establishes cities because people living in that area want certain services that the county does not provide such as police protection, business licenses, street maintenance, and water/sewer systems.
Local Governments
A state is a large place with many people living under different environments. To adjust government programs and services to the diverse conditions, the state has provided for the establishment and operation of local general governments, which are "creatures of the state;" the state government creates them, retains power over them and can change or abolish them.
View the presentation below to learn more.
Today, the services a county offers have expanded to meet the growing demands of residents. Every county conducts local courts of law, voter registration and elections; sells motor vehicle tags; files official records of property ownership; builds and repairs county roads; probates wills and administers welfare and public assistance programs. The Georgia Constitution of 1983 added the flowing supplementary powers to this list of county duties:
- Police and fire protection
- Garbage and solid waste collection and disposal
- Public Health facilities and services, including hospitals, ambulances, emergency rescue, and animal control
- Street and road construction, including curbs, sidewalks, and street lights
- Parks, recreational areas, facilities and programs
- Storm water and sewage collection and disposal systems
- Water Utilities
- Public housing
- Public transportation
- Libraries, archives and arts/sciences programs and facilities
- Terminal and dock facilities and parking facilities
- Codes, including building, house plumbing, and electrical codes
- Air quality control
- Planning and zoning
Home Rule Act of 1965
The Municipal Home Rule Act of 1965 gives a city the authority to act in municipal affairs. Home rule mean shifting of responsibility for local government from the state legislature to the local community. A city or town choosing home rule can tailor its governmental organization and powers to suit its special needs. Home rule, however does not allow a local government to run independent of the state. It is still subject to restrictions found in the U.S. and Georgia Constitutions and in state laws applicable to home rule municipalities. In Georgia, home rule permits municipal governments to function as they see best for their people. Municipal governments are established by applying to the general assembly for a charter.
Local Government Structures
All information in this section is quotes directly from: Handbook for Georgia Mayors and Councilmembers Links to an external site.
Under this form of government, the city council plays the primary policy role, while the mayor assumes the primary executive role. This form provides for a distinguishable separation of powers between the city’s executive branch (mayor) and its legislative branch (city council). Thus, the separation of powers contained in the “strong” mayor form is similar to those found in the national and state governments, with the office of mayor being similar to the President of the United States or a governor of a state. Likewise, the council acts as a legislative body similar to the Congress of the United States or a state legislature.
Mayor-Council Form (Weak Mayor)
Under this form of government, the mayor and city council normally share the primary policymaking and executive roles. In many cities, the “weak” mayor’s role is primarily ceremonial, with the “weak” mayor possessing few, if any, of the executive powers provided to a “strong” mayor. For example, the mayor may not have the authority to appoint council committees, develop the city’s budget, or veto actions of the city council. Also, the mayor may have limited authority to appoint department heads, subject to confirmation by the city council. However, the mayor may not possess the authority to fire department heads. Additionally, the presence of various council committees may impact effective decision-making.
Council-Manager Form
Under this form of government, the city council provides the primary policymaking role, and an appointed city manager provides the primary executive role. It combines the strong political leadership of the elected mayor and council with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager.
Commission Form
Another form of municipal government, although not common in Georgia, is the commission form. Under this form of government, the councilmembers (“commissioners”) are typically elected at large. A chair is normally selected from among the commissioners to preside at their meetings and to serve as the ceremonial head of the commission. The chairmanship may be rotated on an annual basis. The commission form of government is unique because each elected commissioner oversees one or more departments (e.g., police, recreation, utilities, etc.). Thus, this form of government combines legislative and executive responsibilities.
Sources of State Revenue
- Sales Taxes - paid on things that people buy and consume. These include items like cars and merchandise you would buy from a store.
- Federal grants - The U.S. government gives states grants to help fund education or build interstate highways.
- Personal income taxes - States and the U.S. government tax the earnings of individual citizens and the money they earn from investments.
- Property taxes - Private homes, land and business property are taxed according to their value. Property taxes are a major source of revenue for local government.
Georgia Taxation
To enjoy the services provided by federal, state and local government, Georgians, like all Americans, pay taxes that are the sources of funding for government services. Some taxes are paid to the federal government, whereas others are paid to or shared by state and local governments.
| Tax | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Property Tax | County taxes on real and personal property, such as land or anything erected, growing or attached to the land. |
| Ad Valorem Tax on Motor Vehicles | Taxes based on a vehicle's assessed value. |
| Sales and Use Tax | Tax upon the consumption of tangible personal property and certain services |
| Motor Fuel Tax | State tax on any fuel used to propel a motor vehicle |
| Alcohol and Tobacco Division | Taxes on cigarettes, distilled spirits, beer, wine, cigar and loose/smokeless tobacco |
Review
Review what you've learned by completing the activity below.
Local governments focus on meeting the needs of their local citizens. Their focus is providing protection and regulating resources. They affect the local citizens’ daily life in a multitude of ways such as providing public education, libraries, parks, and planning/zoning functions. As more services are provided to local citizens, tax rates tend to increase. Citizens living within cities will pay higher taxes than those living in county systems, but they receive more benefits from their cities such as sewer systems and recreational parks.
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