How Local Government Works
Local government is not a smaller version of the federal government. It has its own forms, its own rules, and its own rhythms — and once you understand them, you can actually use them.
Five Ways to Run a City
When a community incorporates, it adopts a charter. That charter defines the form of government the community will use. There are historically five forms in American local government.[reference:9]
Mayor-Council
Second most common- Mayor is elected separately from the council, often full-time and paid
- Mayor has significant administrative and budgetary authority
- Council holds legislative power and maintains oversight
- Found mostly in older, larger cities and in very small cities
- Variations include “strong mayor” and “weak mayor” systems
Council-Manager
Most common- Council makes policy and sets the budget
- Council appoints a professional city manager to run day-to-day operations
- Mayor is often chosen from among the council on a rotating basis
- Most popular in cities with populations over 10,000
- Examples: Phoenix, San Antonio, Topeka
Commission
Less than 1% of cities- Voters elect individual commissioners to a small governing board
- Each commissioner oversees one specific department (fire, police, public works, etc.)
- One commissioner is designated chairman or mayor
- Both legislative and executive functions are combined
- The oldest form in the U.S.; Portland, Oregon still uses it
Town Meeting
About 5% of municipalities- All eligible voters meet to decide policy directly
- Officials are elected to carry out the decisions
- Considered the purest form of direct democracy
- Found primarily in New England towns
- Representative town meeting is a variation used in larger towns
These forms are less distinct than they once were. Many communities mix features from different models — a mayor-council city with a professional manager, for example, or a council-manager city with a directly elected mayor. The form of government is not destiny; it is a structure that shapes how decisions get made.[reference:10]
Where the Money Comes From — and Where It Goes
Every local government operates on a budget. The budget is the single most important document a local government produces, because it determines what services will be provided and who will pay for them.
The budget process typically follows a predictable cycle:
The city manager, county administrator, or budget officer prepares a proposed budget. They meet with department heads, review the strategic plan, and estimate revenues and expenses.[reference:11]
The proposed budget is presented to the council or commission. It includes projected revenues, proposed expenditures, and the property tax rate needed to fund it.
The council holds a public hearing on the budget. Residents can attend and comment on specific line items. In many states, the hearing is required by law.[reference:12]
The council makes changes and adopts a final budget before the start of the fiscal year. This usually happens in late spring or early summer.
The budget goes into effect. Mid-year adjustments may be made if revenues or expenses differ from projections.
Local governments raise revenue from several sources:
Own-Source Revenue
- Property tax — the primary revenue source for most local governments; based on the assessed value of land and buildings
- Sales tax — a percentage added to purchases; not all states allow local sales taxes
- Fees and charges — water bills, sewer fees, park permits, building permits, recreation fees
- Fines and forfeitures — traffic tickets, court fines
Intergovernmental Revenue
- State aid — shared revenue, education funding, transportation grants
- Federal grants — community development block grants, public safety grants, infrastructure funding
- State and federal mandates — requirements imposed by higher levels of government, often without full funding
The budget is not just a financial document. It is a statement of values. When a city increases funding for police and cuts funding for parks, it is making a choice about what kind of community it wants to be. When a county raises property taxes to build a new school, it is deciding who will pay for the education of the next generation.
Who Decides What Gets Built
Zoning is one of the most consequential powers local governments exercise. It determines what can be built where — whether a neighborhood can have apartments, whether a factory can operate near homes, whether a business can open on a residential street.
Zoning ordinances divide a community into districts. Each district has rules about the types of uses allowed, the height and size of buildings, the amount of parking required, and the density of development. A planning commission — usually appointed by the mayor or council — reviews development proposals and makes recommendations. The council makes the final decision on rezonings and special permits.
Zoning decisions affect property values, neighborhood character, traffic patterns, and the availability of affordable housing. They are also one of the most common reasons residents attend local government meetings. If a developer proposes a new apartment complex or a cell tower or a gas station in your neighborhood, the zoning process is where you can have a say.
The Services You Use Every Day
Local governments provide the services that make daily life possible. The specific mix varies by state and community, but the core functions are consistent:
Public safety. Police and fire protection, emergency medical services, 911 dispatch, animal control.
Infrastructure. Roads and bridges, streetlights, sidewalks, water and sewer systems, storm drainage, trash collection.
Parks and recreation. Public parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, sports fields, community centers, trails.
Land use and development. Zoning, building permits, code enforcement, planning, economic development.
Health and human services. Public health clinics, vaccinations, food inspections, senior services, homeless services.
Courts and justice. Local courts, jails, probation, public defenders.
Records and elections. Property records, marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, voter registration, election administration.
Counties often handle the judicial and records functions. Municipalities often handle police, fire, parks, and zoning. Special districts handle water, transit, libraries, and other specific services. The division of labor is not always clean, but it is always local.
When You Vote for the Government Closest to You
Local elections are often held at different times than state and federal elections. In many communities, local elections are in the spring or in odd-numbered years. This means turnout is often much lower — sometimes less than 20% of eligible voters — which gives each vote more weight.
To vote in a local election, you must be registered. In most states, you can register online, by mail, or in person at your local election office. You may need to show photo identification depending on your state’s requirements.[reference:13]
If you cannot vote in person on Election Day, you may be able to vote absentee by mail. The rules vary by state, but in general, you must request an absentee ballot in advance and return it by a deadline. In some states, any registered voter can request an absentee ballot; in others, you must have a qualifying reason.[reference:14]
Local ballots often include more than candidate races. They may include bond measures, tax levies, charter amendments, and ballot initiatives. These are decisions about how your community will be governed and how it will pay for services. They are worth reading carefully before you vote.
Your Turn
Find your city or county budget online. Most local governments publish their budgets on their websites. Look for the section on property taxes. What is the tax rate? How much of the budget comes from property taxes versus other sources? What are the largest expenditures?
Then find the date of your next local election. Put it on your calendar. Local elections have the lowest turnout and the highest impact on your daily life.