When we talk about politics, we might immediately think about the President or Congress. They certainly give us a lot to talk about! But many of the decisions that impact our daily lives, like roads, schools, and public safety, are actually made at the local level. So let’s take a look at how local government works.
How is local government structured?
Local governments are organized around a population center. Within them, elected representatives govern, and agencies provide resources and services.
There are two layers of local government: counties (some places call them boroughs or parishes) and municipalities (cities, towns, townships, villages, or boroughs, depending on where you live). These are defined and given power by each state’s constitution. They can also be further divided into different school or fire districts.
What does local government do?
Local governments – both counties and municipalities – have many important functions that impact our day-to-day activities and safety:
- Parks & Recreation provides green spaces and trails, playgrounds, sports and recreation facilities and programs, community gardens, public pools, and public art.
- Public schools educate the majority of kids in our communities. Local taxes are just one source of funding for public schools, but a very important one!
- Public libraries lend books and other resources, provide free internet and computer access, offer programs and activities, and host public meeting spaces.
- Police departments, fire departments, and emergency medical services keep our communities safe, protected, and supported during emergencies.
- Municipal courts, jails, and prisons uphold the law and address crime.
- Public Works departments include water, sewer, trash collection, recycling, street and sidewalk maintenance, bike lanes, fire hydrants, parking, and accessibility.
- Public transportation like buses and trams are vital for people without their own vehicles or the ability to drive.
- Zoning and land use offices oversee the development of housing and businesses.
- Social Services provide public housing and public health initiatives like vaccines.
- Advisory boards and committees assist with everything from animal welfare to historic preservation.
Who gets elected in local government?
Many of the leaders in local government are elected. This includes mayors, city and town council members, county commissioners, school board members, and judges.
Mayors represent their city/town and lead their respective council. City/town councils and county commissioners review and approve local budgets and establish local ordinances. School boards set curriculum, decide school policies, and approve and oversee budgets. Judges ensure that local laws are fairly upheld.
How is local government funded?
All of the services provided by our local government have to be paid for by something! That’s where our property taxes come into play. Taxes on our personal property like land, homes, and vehicles help fund all these important services that we use everyday.
Additional funding can come from bonds and millages that are proposed as ballot initiatives and voted on by the public during elections. The process of how these get on ballots varies by state.
Notably, increases to our local taxes don’t always keep up with inflation. This can lead to shortfalls in budgets for our schools, libraries, public safety providers, and other services. People often complain when their tax rates go up, but they also complain if their schools can’t afford maintenance, streets are full of potholes, or salaries for teachers, police officers, and firefighters are too low. Our local elected leaders have to navigate this balance every day.
What role can we play in local government?
Paying our taxes helps fund our counties and municipalities, but we can do even more. We can help shape our communities by staying informed about local issues, attending board meetings, volunteering on local committees, voting in every election, and even running for office ourselves. We all play a part in creating a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable community to live in!