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County Unit System
The county unit system was established in 1917 by the Neill Primary Act.
All 159 counties were classified according to population into one of three categories: urban, town, and rural. Urban counties were the 8 most populous; town counties were the next 30 in population size; and rural counties constituted the remaining 121. Based upon this classification, each county received unit votes in statewide primaries. The urban counties received six unit votes each, the town counties received four unit votes each, and the rural counties received two unit votes each.
Continued to be used until the early 1960s.
Effect of County Unit System
Census data from 1960 illustrates the inequities of the county unit
system. Although the rural counties accounted for only 32 percent
of the state population by that year, they controlled 59 percent of
the total unit vote
The significance of this system was that the rural counties enjoyed
a control of statewide elections that was out of proportion to their
size. As a result, rural votes served to protect such policies as legal
segregation and other aspects of white supremacy by diluting the
influence of more liberal urban voters and of blacks, who were
concentrated in Georgia cities, like Atlanta.
Overturned by Gray v. Sanders which ruled that every vote was to
be given equal weight regardless of where in the state a voter lived.
County Government
Georgia has 159 counties, nearly 600 towns – each has a government
county: subdivision of a state set up for certain governmental functions
most Georgia counties are run by an elected Board of Commissioners
most counties are set up in a similar manner
Two primary forms of county government
1. Board of Commissioners-
elected officials run the county, including the day to
day operations
2. County manager-Board of Commissioners
The Board sets the policy and the county manager
runs the day to day operations.
Board of Commissioners
voters
•Commissioners makes laws and
serve as head of City or County
•Each department then carries out policy
Health water
finance
police
Parks and
recreation
Council-Manager form of county government
voters
City Council or
Board of Commissioners sets
policy
Finance Water Park and
Recreation
City or County Manager responsible
For day to day operations
Police Health
Officials in County Government
Most counties have the following elected officials:
commissioners,
superior court clerk,
probate court judge,
sheriff,
tax commissioner, coroner
Many officials are appointed:
county clerk, fire chief, road supervisor, emergency management
director, attorney, planning and building inspector, etc.
Larger counties have more officials
Click to return to Table of Contents.
City Government
municipality: a city with its own government
city receives charter from state legislature
city charter explains what the city government can do
police protection,
maintain streets and sidewalks,
license businesses,
control traffic,
provide water and sewerage
some city charters allow for a city-run school system
What Cities Can Provide for the People
Services: Police and fire, animal control, parks and recreation, water, solid waste, library
Regulation: Adopt land use and building regulations
Other local legislation/regulations
What entity provides these services if you do not live in a city?
Forms of City Government
Mayor-Council: most common in Georgia
weak-mayor system:
strong-mayor system:
Council-Manager
voters elect council members
mayor may be elected or appointed
council hires city manager for day-to-day operations of the city
City Commission
voters elect commissioners
commissioners form department heads of the city
mayor chosen by the commissioners
Weak Mayor-Council Voters
Elect
Council-has
Executive and
Legislative power
Departments
Water, police, finance, park and
Recreation, carry out policy
Mayor-
limited executive authority
More of figurehead
Strong Mayor Council
voters
Council
Determines policy
and responsible for
raising revenue
Mayor
Has legislative and executive power
Proposes budget and
has veto power over the Council
Departments
Water, police, finance, parks and recreation
Carries out policy
Council-Manager City government
voters
City Council-may appoint a mayor or
Mayor may be elected
Finance Water Park and
Recreation
City Manager-manages the day to
Day operations of the city.
Police Health
City Commission
voters
•Commissioners makes laws and serve as head of City
•Each department then carries out policy
•Mayor chosen by the commission
Health water
finance
police
Parks and
recreation
City-County Government
some city and county governments merge when
the region becomes more urban
can reduce the cost of government
Examples
Athens-Clarke County
Columbus-Muskogee County
Augusta-Richmond County
Sharing Services
Some city and county governments share services
Fulton County is home to city of Atlanta
Fulton County and city of Atlanta share zoning duties and library system
Fulton and DeKalb counties share a hospital authority
Fulton County and the City of Atlanta have separate school systems
Special Purpose Districts
Created for a specific job or task-to provide for the
public good.
Within certain guidelines, these districts are self-
governing
Examples
school districts
MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)
Public Housing Authority
Georgia Ports Authority
ad valorem taxes: taxes paid based on the value of the property
user fees: paid by the user of the service
sales tax: added to purchases made in the city or county
general purpose local option sales tax: tax for general use
special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST): approved by voters, adds
sales tax to fund special projects such as parks or schools
bond issues: a way for governments to borrow money; interest must be paid
on the bonds
Income tax: tax on money earned, often from a job.
Property tax: tax on property owned, like your house
Click to return to Table of Contents.
Revenue
Vocabulary
Local Government Revenue Sources
36% property taxes
20% sales tax
15% user fees
3% licenses and permits
9% intergovernmental funds
14% service charges
4% special use tax (alcohol, utilities, phone)
State vs. Local Revenue sources
State
50% Personal income taxes
30 % Sales tax
4% Lottery
4% motor fuel tax
4% fees and sales
Federal grants
Local
36% property taxes
20% sales tax
15% user fees
3% licenses and permits
9% intergovernmental funds
14% service charges
4% special use tax (alcohol, utilities, phone)
Local Government Expenditures Police
Park and Recreation
Court Services
Emergency Services
Sheriff’s Department
Road and Bridges Department
Tax Assessor
Waste Services
Water Department
Animal Control
Library System
Planning and Zoning
Coroner
Health Department
Contribution to state agencies
State vs. Local Expenditures State
54% Education
23% human services
8% Public Safety-criminal justice
5% interest on debt
5% transportation
2% general govt.
1% economic development
Local-each county or city decides the percentage to allot to each department
Police
Park and Recreation
Court Services
Emergency Services
Sheriff’s Department
Road and Bridges Department
Tax Assessor
Waste Services
Water Department
Animal Control
Library System
Planning and Zoning
Coroner
Health Department
Contribution to state agencies
Voters
Voters decide who will make the decisions for the
government.
General election: held each November in even-numbered
years to elect major federal and state officials
Other elections may be held as needed for national, state,
county or city officials
Voters select most important officials, others are appointed
Must be 18 and a citizen to vote. YOU NEED TO
REGISTER TO VOTE ONCE YOU TURN 18.
Political Parties
Organized groups of people with common ideals – seek to influence government policies
Two major political parties in US: Democrats
Republicans
Minor political parties also exist
Independents are not part of a particular political party
Your Rights as a Citizen Personal rights-freedom to
pick your friends,
have children,
choose where to live,
Have privacy,
travel
Political Rights Due process of law
Equal protection under the law
Freedom of expression
Economic Rights-freedom to Buy and sell property
Pick your own job
Start a business
Enter into contracts
Your responsibilities as a
citizen
Personal and Civic
Accept the consequences of your actions
Consider the rights of others
participation in government (voting, running for office)
upholding the laws of the nation and state
defending the nation against enemies
serve on juries
serving the community
Click to return to Table of Contents.