Social Studies Ch 7 Lesson 4 Notes

Local Government in California

What does local government do for its citizens?

A. Services that local governments provide:
2 types of local gov't : city and county
California Constitution (plan for a system of gov't) originally written in 1849, revised for 30 years, and finished in 1879
2 forms of city gov't in CA:
A. Council-manager form (most cities use) :
1. voters elect a city council
2. City council appoints a mayor and hire a
city manager
B. Mayor-council form:
1. voters elect the mayor and city council
members
i. mayor - executive branch: makes sure laws are
 carried out & hires people to run city departments
ii. city council - legislative branch: make
  laws and collect taxes


Local Governments Provide Services

more than 3/4 of CA citizens live in cities
Cities have police and fire departments some have health and parks departments

Public works department takes care of day to day needs: trash collection, street sweeping and repair, clean water
Taxes pay for city workers and services the gov't provides for citizens

County Government
highest level of local gov't, 58 counties in CA
county seat - city or town where county gov't offices are located
county board of supervisors elected by citizens & discuss and solve problems that affect the county