Exam 9: Local Government

County governments depend heavily on local property taxes as their main source of income.

With the exception of a few larger counties, county government in Texas generally utilizes the spoils system to hire employees.

What are the two main type of city government allowed by the state of Texas? Which one of these offers the most flexibility?

Most counties in Texas utilize a unit road system which pools equipment and personnel to build and maintain roads.

What are the main reasons that special districts are created? What are the criticisms of the use of non-school special districts?

Special Districts do not possess one of the powers granted to cities. That power is the power to

The form of government used by nearly all home-rule cities in Texas is the ________ form of government.

The ability of municipal governments to control areas outside of the city limits is known as

What is the role of the county in local government? Which of the functions of the county are functions which are performed for the state of Texas? To what extend does the state supervise the operation of county government? What factors limit the ability of the state to supervise the operations of county government?

The major source of funding for most counties is

Other than the county commissioners, all other elected county-wide officials in the county are elected at-large in partisan elections.

Texas has more special districts than any other state in the nation.

In cities which use the council-manager system of city government, the city manager is appointed by the mayor.

Which of the following is not a required function of county government?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the nonpartisan election of city officials?

Significant changes in the structure and function of county government in Texas will require amendments to the Texas Constitution

County officials are selected in which manner?

Among the problems not created by the partisanship of county government is which of the following?

Compare and contrast the at-large and the district election options for city councils?

Summarize the revenue sources available to local units of government. How do school districts differ from non-school districts in the area of finance?