Name the largest unit of local government.

The county

What is a county called in Louisiana? In Alaska?

Parishes. Boroughs

What is the name for the city in which county offices are located?

County seat

Name three important elected officials found in a typical county government.

Sheriff, county assessor, and treasurer

In which geographical part of America did town government become important?

New England

Name and describe the three forms of city government.

Mayor council form-the members of the city council are popularly elected, often at large, but sometimes by wards (districts)
Council manager form-it tends to be the most common in cities with populations between 10,000 and 500,000. voters elect members of a city council, usually at large on a non partisan basis.
Commission form- under this form, popularly elected commissioners (five) head the city government. THey are usually elected at large on a non partisan basis

What is zoning? List the types of zones that a city might have.

diving a city into numerous zones and regulating the use of property in each zone. residential, commercial, and industrial

If a city has sanitation or fire jurisdiction over an area not officially in its boundaries, what kind of powers is the city exercising?

extraterritorial powers

What is a county board?

they are elected to represent districts within the county, although in few cases they are elected at large

What is a town meeting?

an example of direct democracy

What is an incorporated?

it has been designated as a legal governmental organization with certain rights and responsibilities

What is a city charter?

a legal document granted by the state which outlines a form of government for the city.

What are the suburbs?

the developed areas outside the city limits

What is annexing?

adding

What percentage of all tax money is paid to state and local government?

25%

Name the most important source of revenue for the states. List five other types of taxes.

Sales tax. Regressive tax, income tax, inheritance tax, gift tax, and property tax.

What is the difference between a progressive tax rate and regressive tax rate?

Progressive tax increases as the payer's income increased while regressive tax increases when the payer's income decreases.

Define "real property."

it includes land, buildings, and improvements on the land.

Which is greater, the assessed value or the market value?

The market value

What kind of tax might one pay for cutting timber off a tract of land?

severance tax

List some sources of non-tax revenues.

fees, lotteries, casino gambling, borrowing

What is usually the largest item on state and local budgets?

Education

What is selective sales tax?

levies a tax that singles out specific items to be taxed

What is gift tax?

Many states levy a gift tax when one gives a large gift of money or property to another person.

What is a mill?

a tenth of a cent