SERVICES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

You already know that local governments carry out a wide variety of services. Within the limits of state law, however, these services may vary from one area to another. This is because local governments reflect the customs, tradi­tions, goals, and values of the citizens they serve and the place in which they developed.

Other factors also affect the kinds of services provided by a local government. One such factor is population size. The city of Houston, Texas, for example, has a population of more than 2,900,000. The workings of local governments in Houston, serving nearly 3 million people, are much different from those of the small Connecticut town of Chester, with a population of 3,000.

Factors such as a community's location, climate, and natural resources also shape the workings of local governments. One service important to people living in the Northeast and parts of the Midwest, for example, is snow removal. Such a service is not as vital to people living in communities in the Southwest. More important to those from warm, dry climates is water conservation. For this reason, many southwestern cities have local governments known as water conservation districts. The aim of these governments is to conserve water and plan for its use.

Whether large or small, urban or rural, or found in the Snow Belt or the Sun Belt, local governments carry out certain basic services for most citizens. Local governments provide police services and fire protection. They help settle conflicts and decide neighborhood issues. They keep local records. They provide public education. They repair roads and direct traffic. Some offer public transportation. Local governments care for the environment and oversee certain utilities. They collect the garbage and provide water treatment and sewage disposal. They offer health and welfare services. And, many local governments run recreational facilities and cultural centers.

To carry out their duties, local govern­ments depend on thousands of citizens. In fact, more citizens take part in the work of local governments than in both the national and state governments combined.

Date: 2015-01-12; view: 891