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Chapter 14 Lesson 2

Chapter 14 Lesson 2. County Governments. How County Governments Are O rganized. The county is the normally the state`s largest territorial and political unit. The US census bureau recognizes more than 3,000 counties or divisions like counties in the nation.

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Chapter 14 Lesson 2

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  1. Chapter 14 Lesson 2 County Governments

  2. How County Governments Are Organized • The county is the normally the state`s largest territorial and political unit. • The US census bureau recognizes more than 3,000 counties or divisions like counties in the nation. • The first county was located in Virginia in 1634. • Massachusetts and Pennsylvania also had counties in colonial times. • Texas has 254 counties. • Delaware and Hawaii each have 3. • In Alaska they are called boroughs and in Louisiana they are called Parishes.

  3. County Seats • During the 1800s the county court house was the center of county government. • Trials took place there and so did Government activities. • The town where the court house is located is called the county seat. • County seats often become a center for the network of county roads.

  4. The Functions of County Government • In some areas, cities now provide many services that counties once did. • Many counties have taken on the duties that city governments once handled. • These duties range from providing sewer and water service to mass transit systems. • Most counties are run by a board of elected officials called commissioners or supervisors. • Typically three to five commissioners serve on a county board. • They usually serve four-year terms. • The board passes laws, budgets, and levies taxes and may enforce laws. • In addition to commissioners or supervisors, other officials play a role in county government.

  5. Forms of County Government • The basic form is the strong commission. • The two other forms are the commission-manager and commission-elected executive types. • In the strong commission form, the county board acts as both legislature and executive authority. • Board members pass laws and also see to carrying out the laws. • They also oversee the work of people they name to particular offices. • The people who serve on county boards have a great variety of backgrounds. • Most board members work part-time, they have to be ready for emergencies though.

  6. Forms of County Government Cont. • In some counties the board operates only as a legislature. • Counties use one of two methods to handle the executive power. • First is the commission-manager form of government. • In this method the commission names someone as county manager. • Second is the commission-elected executive type. • This official, like the board is elected. • The county manager or executive carries out the laws for the county. • He or she manages the county government. • The county board works alongside this leader.

  7. Sheriffs, DAs and More • Sheriffs are elected officials. • They typically serve two to four year terms. • The sheriff is the county`s chief officer for enforcing the law. • The sheriffs department enforces court orders and runs the county jail. • The sheriffs department shares duties with one or more police departments. • Because counties were often the first governments formed by American settlers, sheriffs have played a leading role in local law enforcement. • Other county duties are handled by officials who may be appointed or elected. • Bringing criminals to justice is the role of the district attorney (DA) called the county prosecutor in some counties. • In most counties the DA is elected by voters. • The DA investigates crimes and brings charges against those suspected of breaking the law.

  8. Sheriff, DAs and more • He or she then works to prove in court that the accused person is guilty. • Three county officials handle the county`s finances. • The assessor looks at taxable property within the county. • He or she estimates, or sets rough value on, how much it is worth. • The county treasurer is in charge of the county`s funds. • He or she collects taxes and pays the county`s bills. • An auditor makes sure that the county spends its money according to state and local law. • A county clerk keeps official government records. • They also conduct elections. • The county coroners works closely with the police. • This official is called on to look at any death that might not be natural. • Some counties have replaced the coroner with the medical examiner. • This system uses trained scientists to investigate deaths caused by injury, violence, or unknown sources. • More than 2 Million people work for counties across the country. • The vast numbers indicate the number of tasks that county governments have taken on.

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