Introduction
Local governments are the third level of administration in the United States, following the states. They are divided into single-purpose and general-purpose local governments. Depending on the people’s needs, local governments perform many different functions, such as water provision, fire management, education, and fighting crime. Understanding the concept of local government is essential in enhancing service provision by knowing which category to turn to in case of need.
Important Concepts
The key concept from the learning is the functions of the local government, which are delegated according to the type and purpose of the government. Even though some responsibilities, such as fighting crime, fire management, park maintenance, education, and water provision, are commonly associated with the local level of government, not all governments perform the functions unless outlined under their purpose (Bowman & Kearney, 2016). The objectives are divided into general and specific purposes, with all the governments falling under one of the divisions.
For general-purpose governments, their functions are not limited. As the name suggests, the general purpose performs numerous responsibilities, which are assigned depending on the needs of their jurisdiction, such as municipalities, counties, towns, and townships. For example, they perform general functions such as education, water provision, security, and fire management, among others, depending on the needs of the ground.
On the other hand, a single-purpose local government performs limited functions. As the name suggests, its roles are specifically assigned and limited to the delegated duty. For example, a single-purpose local government may be responsible for water provision. As such, the function will be limited to providing water and not engaging in other services in its jurisdiction. The typical examples of single-purpose local governments are school districts and special districts.
Despite the division, it is worth noting that single-purpose and general-purpose local governments may exist in the same area, making their functions coincide. For example, a town may have single and general-purpose local governments concurrently; however, their roles will be separated accordingly. Since general-purpose local government has unlimited roles, a single purpose will supplement it in areas where they coexist (Bowman & Kearney, 2016).
As in the case of school districts, synonymous with counties, they may be assigned a portion of the county to manage and offer the services, while the general-purpose local government manages the remaining areas. For instance, in water provision, the single-purpose assigned may supply water to their portion of the county while delegating the remaining area to the general purpose (Park, 2022). Even though the two levels of local government functionally coexist, the lack of a clear boundary in their duties may cause coordination difficulties, especially in overlapping tasks.
Notably, the United States of America has over 90,000 local governments; however, the number has changed over time due to various factors. One of the significant factors contributing to the fluctuation of the local governments is the needs of the people. Regardless of the type, local governments are formed in response to the problems facing the populace to provide services. Since the needs have been reduced, different state governments have been forced to reduce their number and consolidate some.
Another important lesson about the concept of local government is that their existence depends on the state administration and will only survive when the state governments view them as necessary (Switzer & Deng, 2022). However, they get disbanded immediately after they lose favor with the state administration.
Why the Concept Is Important
The concept is essential because it outlines the roles of different types of local governments and their jurisdictions. People face different needs daily, such as water insufficiency, crime, and fire outbreaks. It is therefore essential to understand which local government is responsible for what functions to know where to turn when in need.
By outlining the classification of local governments and the role of each category, it will be easier for individuals to seek help from the right group and facilitate a quick response (Bowman & Kearney, 2016). For instance, in case of a fire outbreak, people will understand the type of local government responsible for managing the disaster and contact them, thus enhancing quick response. Similarly, the concept provides knowledge of whom to turn to in a water shortage, thus enhancing adequate service provision.
Secondly, the concept is essential as it provides knowledge on the distribution of different types of local governments and where to find them. Different regions are under various types of local governments. While some are administered by general-purpose local government, some are under a single purpose. Even in areas administered by single-purpose local governments, there are still categorizations into schools and special districts. Therefore, it is essential to know what kind of local government is administering a specific region and its location, as this will help people easily seek assistance. This will enhance coordination and service provision.
Conclusion
In summary, there are two types of local government, namely, single and general purpose. The categories have variable functions, which are delegated accordingly. Single-purpose performs specific functions, while general-purpose local government engages in unlimited tasks. The categories may or may not coexist depending on the needs of the people. Where they exist together, they supplement each other, even though sometimes they face coordination difficulties. Local governments are created by state administrators, sustaining them whenever they deem necessary.
References
Bowman, A. O. M., & Kearney, R. C. (2016). State and local government. Cengage Learning.
Park, H. (2022). Testing a relationship between special districts and nonprofits: Do they substitute or complement? Social Science Quarterly. Web.
Switzer, D., & Deng, J. (2023). Specialized Local Government and Water Conservation Policy in the United States. Urban Affairs Review, 59(2), 611-629. Web.