Local Government

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Within a state like California, the main layers of government are the state as a whole, its individual counties, and the cities and towns within them. Each of these entities has different responsibilities and varying amounts of power and influence.

COUNTY

CITY & TOWN

The State of California is divided into 58 counties, 44 of which are general law counties while the other 14 are charter counties. General law counties adhere to the state’s specifications for elected officials, while charter counties have some degree of “home rule” regarding organization and elected officials.

Led by a Board of Supervisors

RESPONSIBILITIES

Enforce ordinances that do not conflict with general law, levy and collect taxes, law enforcement, jails, public health, social services, infrastructure and country roads, operate legal system and courts, management of unincorporated areas, and others

Cities reside within county limits, which can encompass a single city or, in the case of Los Angeles County, 88 cities. California cities have broader powers of self-government than counties. Legislative control over counties is more comprehensive than over cities. In terms of the focal point, city government focuses on the needs of their specific communities.

Led by a City Council

RESPONSIBILITIES

Public schools, libraries, police and fire departments (sometimes a branch of the county’s forces), local roads and infrastructure, zoning and building, parks and recreation, support community development, and others

Sources: https://www.hayward-ca.gov/your-government/how-your-local-government-works,https://www.counties.org/general-information/county-structure-0#:~:text=There%20is%20a%20fundamental%20distinction,than%20it%20is%20over%20citiesCalifornia state - county map stock illustration / hagencd / iStock / CC-BY NDSan Francisco Bay Area, region of the U.S. state / Peter Hermes Furian / Shutterstock / CC-BY SA