County Government

-Largest level of local government

-Gets all authority from the State Government Cannot operate without states permission -Charters -Local version of a Constitution It is given to local governments by the State Describes government, structure, and powers -Common Purposes Protection of and services to the people

The county level of government is the largest level of local government in the United States. Why is that? How come county governments are larger than city governments? What is the difference between a city and a county? Does it matter which you live in? Can some people live in both?

County Officials

-County Board (legislature)

-Commissioners -Alderman Elected local legislature -Manager Hired professional, runs county
Harnett County citizens elect a 5-member Board of County Commissioners through partisan elections held every two years. The commissioners elect a chairman and vicechairman during their first meeting in December. The commissioners are elected by geographical districts across the County.
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners is the governing body for the entire county. Responsibilities include overseeing the budget, zoning and planning issues, promoting growth, and improving the quality of life for citizens of Harnett County.

Chris Rollins is the hired county manager for Alamance County.

County Officials

-Sheriff
Chief law enforcement officer Runs jail and Sheriffs Dept. -Coroner Declares deaths, works on crime scenes
Register of Deeds
The Register of Deeds is Alamance County's elected official custodian and manager of public records. Assuring public record integrity and accessibility is an important public function. A number of North Carolina General Statutes directly affect record maintenance and access. The Alamance County Register of Deeds records a variety of real property documents including deeds, deeds of trust, maps and others. The Vital Records Division maintains Alamance County birth records, death records, marriage licenses issued by Harnett County, and Military Discharges when filed with the County.

-Clerk

-Register of Deeds
County records/ownership papers -District Attorney Represents the county in court Prosecutor for the county

County Services

-Pass laws and regulations

ordinances--Term for local laws

also referred to as blue laws in some areas

All paid for with some money from the state, but mostly county taxes -law enforcement -fire services

-recreation
-sanitation -education

-planning
-transportation -health -welfare

City Governments -get powers from a charter given by the state (must have permission to form) -Incorporation-- Official recognition from the state of a local governments power (want services for citizens) -Annexation-- the addition of more land into a city or town (by choice or force - to provide services)

City Governments
-Usually one of two major types of city governments -Mayor-Council Form (power divided) -Strong Mayor System

-Weak Mayor System

Mayors power limited by city council -Council-Manager System -elected Council hires professional to run govt (called a manager)

City Officials

-Mayor
Elected chief executive of the city who is responsible for overseeing city government -Council (citys legislature) -Alderman Pass ordinances to regulate city

-Manager Professional manager with full responsibility of government Appointed by city council

City Services
-Can face more serious problems in urban areas Cities have more people More problems, more services (sometimes more taxes) -Same types of services Paid for with extra city taxes and user fees -law enforcement -fire services -recreation -sanitation -education -planning -transportation -health

Public works include cleaning, repairing, and maintaining city streets and sewers. We also coordinate street excavation work; enforce litter laws; and remove graffiti and illegal signs. We regulate street and sidewalk use while enhancing and protecting the public right-of-way; and provide architectural, civil, structural, and mechanical engineering services, including project and construction management. Our staff work to bring these services to the citizens of Angier all year long.