Chapter 12, Lesson 2 Outline, completed, non-highlighted

Name ____________________________

Date ____________________________

Period __________ HR ______________

Chapter 12 – “Local Government”

Lesson 2 – County Government

Directions:  Read chapter 12, Lesson 2 and complete the outline below with information from the reading, choosing facts you believe to be important as well.

1. Lesson 2 – County Government (21 in NJ)

1. Introduction

1. The _county________ is normally a state’s largest territorial and political subdivision_.
2. States grant these powers in charters, _plans of government, like mini constitutions_____.
3. Alaska calls them _boroughs_; Louisiana calls them parishes__.

2. What is a County Seat?

1. Towns/cities where the county courthouse is located are called _the county seat_, which is _Hackensack__ for Bergen County.
2. _Usually the location of the county courthouse and government__.

3. Functions and Who Runs a County

1. With modern transportation and population growth, cities__ in some areas provide services counties once provided, and some counties___ provide services cities once provided, like _sewer___ and _water___ service and _mass transit systems____.
2. A group of officials called the _Board of Commissioners____ governs NJ counties.  There are _seven (7)__ members on this board. (elected)
3. Usually, each board member represents _smaller districts within the county____
4. Laws passed by these county boards are called _ordinances_______.
5. These boards can raise money by levying, or imposing, _taxes____ to pay for all services they provide, such as hospitals, parks, etc.
6. Counties in NJ have an elected chief executive who appoints top officials and administers county government called the _county executive_______________. (elected)

Bergen County Executive, James J. Tedesco

Sheriffs, DAs, and More

7. The sheriff is _the county’s chief law enforcement officer___ and his/her

department does things like _maintain the county jail, provide court security, deliver court orders, etc., prisoner transport_______.  They also share law enforcement duties with the _local police departments____. (elected)

Anthony Cureton, Bergen County Sheriff

(2nd African American to be sheriff. Up for re-election.)

8. The district attorney is _the county’s chief legal officer/investigator___ and he/she

investigates crimes, charges criminals, and prosecutes cases in court___.  This position is called the county prosecutor in New Jersey.

Mark Musella, Bergen County Prosecutor

9. The coroner establishes the cause of suspicious deaths while working with police and sheriff’s departments.  In New Jersey, we have “medical examiners” instead. Perform autopsies on deceased individuals.
10. The county clerk is _keeps county records, maps,  and keeps track of voter registration and election results_.

John S. Hogan, Bergen County Clerk (up for re-election)

11. The assessor establishes the worth of taxable property to determine taxes owed.___.
12. The county treasurer supervises _all funds collected and makes payments.  He/she is also the chief tax collector and is overseen by an auditor to be held accountable.

Some Interesting “Counties” Facts:

• San Francisco, CA, is both a city and a county.
• New York, NY, the nation’s largest city, is made up of five counties, called “boroughs” -- Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island.

•  Loving County, TX, had only 82 inhabitants as of 2010. In 2019 it jumped to 169.