October 14, 2005 Dan Stanton - danton@asu.edu

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

HOW IT WORKS

&

WHERE TO GET INFORMATION

IN THE MPLA REGION

Dan:Dan:

October 14, 2005

Local Government

Definitions and NumbersGeneral ResourcesMPLA States – variations and resources

October 14, 2005

Government Definitions and Numbers

US Government HistoryTown councilsUS Constitution

1 Federal Government50 State Governments

IncorporationDillon’s Rule/Home Rule

October 14, 2005

Census Definition*A government is an organized entity which, in addition

to having governmental character, has sufficient discretion in the management of its own affairs to distinguish it as separate from the administrative structure of any other governmental unit.

To be counted as a government, any entity must possess all three of the attributes reflected in the foregoing definition: Existence as an organized entity, governmental character, and substantial autonomy.

*www.census.gov/prod/2005pubs/gc021x2.pdf; p. viii.

October 14, 2005

Local Government Definitions and Numbers

Local (sub-state) Governments – 87,525 General Purpose Local Governments – 38,967 Special-Purpose Local Governments – 48,558

October 14, 2005

Local Government Definitions and Numbers

General Purpose Local – 38,967County – 3,034Sub–County – 35,933

Municipal – 19,429Town or Township – 16,504

Regional/Councils of/Associations of Government

October 14, 2005

Local Government Definitions and Numbers

Special-Purpose Local – 48,558School Districts – 13,506Special Districts – 35,052

October 14, 2005

Tips for Finding Government Information

The more info you have, the betterNames of publications or agenciesLevel(s) of government involvedDates

Newspaper articles often provide names, dates, and commentary

PublicationsAnnual Reports, Budgets, Financial Reports, Planning

Reports, Capital ImprovementOfficial websites

October 14, 2005

Areas of information generated and/or collected locally

Crime/Courts Environmental Health Land use planning Parks and Recreation Statistics (population,

employment, housing, financial, etc.)

Transportation/Public Works

Zoning Ordinances and codes Maps/GIS Education Business/Economic

Development

October 14, 2005

General Local Government Resources Google Uncle Sam – www.google.com/unclesam Municipal Codes Online – www.spl.org/default.asp?

pageID=collection_municodes FirstGov: American Hometowns -

www.firstgov.gov/Agencies/Local_Government/Cities.shtml State and Local Government on the Net –

www.statelocalgov.net/ Census Data - http://factfinder.census.gov/ &

http://www.census.gov/sdc/www/ Census of Governments - www.census.gov/govs/www/ Federal Depository Libraries -

www.gpoaccess.gov/libraries.html

October 14, 2005

General Local Government ResourcesGoverning: Local Government Links –

www.governing.com/govlinks/glocal.htm National Association of Counties – www.naco.org/ International City/County Management Association -

www2.icma.org/main/sc.asp National Civic League – www.nlc.org/home/ National City Government Resource Center -

www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/1389/National Association of Regional Councils -

www.narc.org/

October 14, 2005

General Local Government Resources

Martin, M. (2005). Local and regional government information : How to find it, how to use it. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

Krane, D., Rigos, P. N., & Hill, M. B. (2001). Home rule in america : A fifty-state handbook. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press.

October 14, 2005

MPLA States – Wyoming

23 Counties98 Municipalities – First class cities

4,000 or more, otherwise Towns; 200 within 3 Sq. mi. to incorporate

2 Regional Councils55 School Districts

October 14, 2005

Wyoming - 546 Special Districts Cemetery Conservation County Improvement

and Service Drainage Fire Protection Hospital Irrigation Joint Powers Boards Predatory Animal

Districts

Recreation Rural Health Care Senior Citizen Service Solid Waste Disposal Special Museum Water Conservancy Water and Sewer Watershed Improvement Wyoming Municipal

Power Agency

October 14, 2005

MPLA States – Wyoming Wyoming Constitution and Statutes

http://legisweb.state.wy.us/statutes/statutes.htm Wyoming Local Government

http://gowyld.net/wyoming/localgovt.html Wyoming School and District Directory https://wdesecure

.k12.wy.us/public_ed/schools.html History http://soswy.state.wy.us/press/wam.htm District Maps

http://revenue.state.wy.us/PortalVBVS/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=5&tabid=12

Wyoming Association of Municipalities www.wyomuni.org/

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - Utah29 Counties – 6 classes based on population 236 Municipalities – 6 classes based on population,

100 needed to incorporate8 Regional Councils40 School Districts

October 14, 2005

Utah - 300 Special Districts Cemetery

Maintenance County Service Areas Drainage Fire Protection Housing Authorities Improvement Districts

for Utility or Sewer Systems

Irrigation

Metropolitan Water Mosquito Abatement Municipal Power

Agencies Public Transit Regional Service

Areas Soil Conservation Water Conservancy

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - UtahUtah Code and Constitution

www.le.state.ut.us/%7Ecode/const/const.htm City and County Government

www.utah.gov/government/citycounty.html K – 12 Education

www.utah.gov/education/k12.html Local Government Resources

www.sao.state.ut.us/resources/resources-lg.htm

October 14, 2005

MPLA States – South Dakota66 Counties308 Municipalities – 3 classes based on

population, 940 Townships in 52 Counties6 Regional Councils176 School Districts

October 14, 2005

South Dakota - 376 Special Districts

Ambulance Community Center Conservation Consumer Powers County Road Drainage Basin Utility Housing and Redevelopment Improvement Irrigation Municipal Power Regional Airport Authorities

Regional Railroad Authorities Regional Recycling and Waste

Management Rural Fire Protection Sanitary Translator Water Development Water Project Water User Watershed

October 14, 2005

MPLA States – South DakotaSouth Dakota Codified Law

http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/index.aspx South Dakota Association of Counties

www.sdcounties.org/home.cfm South Dakota Municipal League

www.sdmunicipalleague.org/ K-12 Data Center

http://www.k12.sd.us/Web/SchoolWebs.htm

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - Oklahoma

77 Counties590 Municipalities

Cities 100+Towns<100Villages are unincorporated and not counted

11 Regional Councils571 School Districts

October 14, 2005

Oklahoma - 560 Special Districts

Conservancy Conservation Emergency Medical

Service Enterprise District

Management Authorities Fire Protection Housing Authorities Irrigation

Port Authorities Public Library Systems Regional Water

Distribution Rural Road

Improvement Rural

Water/Sewer/Gas/Solid Waste Management

Sewer Improvement

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - OklahomaOklahoma Legislature (Constitution and Statutes)

www.lsb.state.ok.us/ Local Government www.ok.gov/3167/3322/ Community Profiles

www.okcommerce.gov/custom/oracle_community_profiles.php Schools Online

www.sde.state.ok.us/link/oklaeduc.html

October 14, 2005

MPLA States – North Dakota

53 Counties360 Municipalities

Cities, which exist outside Townships1332 Townships in 58 CountiesProvisions for consolidated (multi)townships

8 Regional Councils226 School Districts

October 14, 2005

North Dakota - 764 Special Districts

Airport Authorities County Nursing Home

Authorities Garrison Diversion

Conservancy Hospital Housing Authorities Irrigation Park Recreation Service

Regional Library Cooperatives

Rural Ambulance Service Rural Fire Protection Soil Conservation Southwest Water Authority Vector Control Waste Management

Authorities Water

October 14, 2005

MPLA States – North DakotaLaws and Regulations

www.nd.gov/category.htm?id=151 County Government

www.nd.gov/category.htm?id=83 City Government www.nd.gov/category.htm?id=84 K-12 www.nd.gov/category.htm?id=94

October 14, 2005

MPLA States – New Mexico

33 Counties101 Municipalities – minimum population 1507 Regional Councils96 School Districts

October 14, 2005

New Mexico - 628 Special Districts

Community Ditches and Acequias

Community Land Grants Conservancy Drainage Economic Advancement Flood Control

Authorities Flood Control Districts

Irrigation Metropolitan Water Boards Pink Bollworm Control Regional Housing

Authorities Soil and Water

Conservation Solid Waste Authorities Special Hospital Water and Sanitation

October 14, 2005

MPLA States – New MexicoLaws and Statutes

www.state.nm.us/category/governmentnm.html#laws Local Government

www.state.nm.us/category/governmentnm.html#local New Mexico Schools Locater

www.state.nm.us/category/government/city_county.html

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - Nevada

16 Counties19 Municipalities, 3 classes based on

population, 250 needed to incorporate2 Regional Councils

October 14, 2005

Nevada - 158 Special Districts Airport Authorities California-Nevada Super

Speed Ground Transportation Commission

Cemetery Conservation County Fire Protection County Hospital County Library Elko Convention and Visitors

Authority General Improvement

Housing Authorities Irrigation Moapa Valley Water Nevada Commission for

the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway

Southern Nevada Water Authority

Tahoe Transportation Virgin Valley Water Water Conservancy

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - Nevada

Nevada Law Library http://leg.state.nv.us/law1.cfm

Nevada Counties/Cities www.nv.gov/new_cityCounties.htm

Nevada Schools and Districts www.doe.nv.gov/schools.html

MPLA States - Nebraska

93 Counties531 Municipalities

4 classes of city based on population Villages of 100-800100 needed to incorporate 446 Townships in 28 Counties

6 Regional Councils575 School Districts

Nebraska - 1146 Special Districts Airport Authorities Cemetery Community Building Drainage Hospital Housing Authorities Irrigation Joint Electric

Power/Sewerage/Solid Waste Disposal/Water Distribution Agencies

Joint Public Power Authorities

Metropolitan Transit Authority Metropolitan Utilities Natural Resources Public Power Reclamation Road and Street Improvement Rural and Suburban Fire

Protection Rural Water Sanitary and Improvement Weather Control

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - Nebraska

Laws of Nebraska www.unicam.state.ne.us/laws/index.htm

Local Government www.nebraska.gov/index.phtml?section=local

Local Government in Nebraska (Blue Book) www.unicam.state.ne.us/bluebook/localgov.htm

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - Montana

54 Counties129 Municipalities – 4 classes based on

population6 Regional Councils352 School Districts

October 14, 2005

Montana - 592 Special Districts Conservation Conservancy County Water and Sewer Drainage Fire Fire Service Areas Housing Authorities Irrigation Local and Regional Port

Authorities Montana Municipal Insurance

Authority

Public Cemetery Public Hospital Public Library Railway Authorities Regional Airport Authorities

and Joint Airport Boards Regional Water and Wastewater Solid Waste Management Television Urban Transportation

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - Montana

Constitution, Code & Rules www.state.mt.us/govt/mca_const.asp

City and County Governments www.state.mt.us/govt/city_county.asp

Directory of Montana Schools www.opi.mt.gov/Directory/index.html

• Local Government Center http://www.montana.edu/wwwlgc/

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - Kansas

104 Counties627 municipalities in 3 classes by

population1299 Townships in 95 counties8 Regional Councils324 School Districts

Kansas - 1533 Special Districts Boards of Public Utilities Cemetery City-County Airport Authorities Community Building Conservation Drainage Ground Water Management Hospital Housing Authorities Improvement Industrial Irrigation Johnson County Park and

Recreation

Joint Port Authorities Kansas City Area

Transportation Authority Kansas and Missouri

Metropolitan Culture Library Municipal Energy Agencies Public Building Public Wholesale Water

Supply Reading Fire Benefit Watershed Water Supply

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - Kansas Laws and Legal Services

www.accesskansas.org/government/laws-legal.html Cities and Counties

www.accesskansas.org/government/index.html#cities K-12 School Reports www.ksbe.state.ks.us/k12/k12.html League of Kansas Municipalities www.lkm.org/ Kansas Association of Counties www.kansascounties.org/ State Conservation Commission

www.accesskansas.org/kscc/main.html

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - Colorado

62 Counties270 Municipalities – 2000 cutoff for cities

vs. towns13 Regional Councils182 School Districts

Colorado - 1414 Special Districts Airport Authorities Ambulance Cemetery Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality

Authority Conservation Denver Scientific and Cultural

Facilities Drainage Fire Protection Ground Water Management Health Service Housing Authorities Internal Improvement Irrigation Library

Metropolitan - Football Stadium, Sewage Disposal, Water

Mine Drainage Park and Recreation Power Authorities Public Highway Authorities Pueblo Depot Activity Development

Authority Rail Regional Service Authorities Regional Transportation (Denver) Rural Transportation Authorities Tunnel Urban Drainage and Flood Control

(Denver) Water Authorities Water and Sanitation

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - Colorado

Colorado Revised Statutes and Constitution www.michie.com/colorado.html

Colorado Communities

www.colorado.gov/colorado-government/communitiesmenu.html

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - Arizona

15 Counties87 Municipalities (+2 since 2002), 1500

minimum for incorporation6 Regional Councils231 School Districts; 14 Dependent

Public School Systems (County)

Arizona - 305 Special Districts Active Management Area Water Agricultural Improvement Agriculture Preservation Community Park Maintenance County Water Authorities Drainage Electrical Fire Flood Protection Districts Groundwater Replenishment Health Service Hospital Irrigation

Irrigation Water Delivery Joint Powers Airport

Authorities Pest Abatement Pest Control Pinal County Water

Augmentation Authority Power Districts Public Transportation

Authorities Sanitary Special Health Care Special Road Water Conservation

October 14, 2005

MPLA States - ArizonaArizona State Legislature (Links to Constitution and

Statutes) www.azleg.state.az.us/default.aspArizona Association of Counties

www.azcounties.org/home/index.cfm League of Arizona Cities and Towns

www.azleague.org/ School Districts

www.ade.state.az.us/schools/schools/districts.asp Special Districts

www.asu.edu/lib/hayden/govdocs/local/sp_purp.htm

October 14, 2005

Questions

Dan StantonArizona Local Documents LibrarianArizona State University Libraries

PO Box 871006Tempe, AZ 85287-1006

danton@asu.edu 480/965-1798

FAX 480/965-9308

www.asu.edu/lib/hayden/govdocs/local/AZ_Local_Collection.htm