AGA CGFM Exam Preparation Questions and Assured
Success Solutions Newly updates 2024/2025
Federal Gov't Responsibility - correct answer national defense, foreign relations,
interstate commerce, federal courts, housing, education, healthcare
State Gov't Responsibility - correct answer public safety, property laws and
protection of private property, education, marriage, commercial rules and
licensing (ex. Professional licensing)
Local Gov't Responsibility - correct answer building codes and permits, property
taxes, police and fire protection. Also sometimes parks/rec.
Have more interaction with citizens because services generally more visible than
other areas of gov't.
State Governors - correct answer have administrative authority similar to the
president, can create executive orders
Direct Action Authorities of Citizens - correct answer ** initiative - ex. Prop 13 in
Cali, begins with people
** referendum - requires certain legislative actions to be presented to voters for
approval.
** recall - enables voters to remove elected officials from office
Types of Gov't Entities - correct answer General Purpose (federal, state, local) -
perform multiple functions. Primarily funded through taxation.
,Special Purpose - limited authority to one or two functions, e.g., education. Can
be established by ordinance. May be dependent on general-purpose gov't for
funding, impose taxes, collect user fees, and/or incur debt.
Jointly governed organizations - correct answer coordinate regional type
services among two or more government entities led by a board of officials from
the participating entities (ex. Water, fire).
Sometimes required to receive federal assistance, ex. Regional transportation
2012 Census - 90,107 government entities - correct answer one national
50 state
90,056 local (5 types):
General Purpose: County, Municipality,
Township
Special Purpose: School district, special
Purpose district
* independent school districts (special service governments) trending towards
consolidation (67,355 in 1952, 14,178 in 2012)
County Gov't - correct answer same as parish and borough gov'ts
** some cities exist separate from their adjacent county - 10% of US citizens not
served by any county government
** commonly led by Board of Supervisors elected by geographic district and/or "at
large". Often appoint a county administrator and other officials.
,** larger counties have an elected county executive who functions similar to the
mayor.
Municipal Gov't - correct answer cities, towns, boroughs, and villages
** "a gen-purpose gov't that is not a County or Township"
Township - 6 mile blocks - correct answer * based on the public land survey
system during the founding of the county, called for surveying the land in six mile
blocks (36 square miles).
** 20 states retain active township governments, rooted in historical surveying
system. Sometimes boundaries overlap with municipalities.
** governance by board of supervisors or trustees
Special Purpose (non-school) - correct answer ** more than 90% of special
districts perform a single function
** one-third have a mission related to natural resources
** second most common function is fire protection
** growth in special districts tied to:
1) demand for new, specialized services
2) ability to circumvent debt and tax limits
3) administrative flexibility (eg., personnel and procurement rules)
Quasi-Governmental Entities - correct answer ex., UTA, URS - government
corporations
, Support business-like functions, have more freedom from regulations, may incur
debt
Fragmentation - correct answer multiple government provide overlapping,
duplicative services. One way to avoid is through service agreements.
Tribal governments - correct answer more than 590 in US
Have a nation-to-nation relationship with US and are not subordinate to states.
Most based in democracy with elected leaders.
Have the power to license and regulate activity and impose taxes.
Limited sovereignty - similar as state limitations, they cannot coin money, wage
war, or conduct foreign relations
Budget - correct answer legal document that communicates the priorities and
objectives of the government organization
1) law or ordinance w/limited life
2) expression of public policy
3) financial plan
4) communication device
Government Sovereignty - correct answer fiscal power to:
* tax citizens/corporations to raise revenue
Success Solutions Newly updates 2024/2025
Federal Gov't Responsibility - correct answer national defense, foreign relations,
interstate commerce, federal courts, housing, education, healthcare
State Gov't Responsibility - correct answer public safety, property laws and
protection of private property, education, marriage, commercial rules and
licensing (ex. Professional licensing)
Local Gov't Responsibility - correct answer building codes and permits, property
taxes, police and fire protection. Also sometimes parks/rec.
Have more interaction with citizens because services generally more visible than
other areas of gov't.
State Governors - correct answer have administrative authority similar to the
president, can create executive orders
Direct Action Authorities of Citizens - correct answer ** initiative - ex. Prop 13 in
Cali, begins with people
** referendum - requires certain legislative actions to be presented to voters for
approval.
** recall - enables voters to remove elected officials from office
Types of Gov't Entities - correct answer General Purpose (federal, state, local) -
perform multiple functions. Primarily funded through taxation.
,Special Purpose - limited authority to one or two functions, e.g., education. Can
be established by ordinance. May be dependent on general-purpose gov't for
funding, impose taxes, collect user fees, and/or incur debt.
Jointly governed organizations - correct answer coordinate regional type
services among two or more government entities led by a board of officials from
the participating entities (ex. Water, fire).
Sometimes required to receive federal assistance, ex. Regional transportation
2012 Census - 90,107 government entities - correct answer one national
50 state
90,056 local (5 types):
General Purpose: County, Municipality,
Township
Special Purpose: School district, special
Purpose district
* independent school districts (special service governments) trending towards
consolidation (67,355 in 1952, 14,178 in 2012)
County Gov't - correct answer same as parish and borough gov'ts
** some cities exist separate from their adjacent county - 10% of US citizens not
served by any county government
** commonly led by Board of Supervisors elected by geographic district and/or "at
large". Often appoint a county administrator and other officials.
,** larger counties have an elected county executive who functions similar to the
mayor.
Municipal Gov't - correct answer cities, towns, boroughs, and villages
** "a gen-purpose gov't that is not a County or Township"
Township - 6 mile blocks - correct answer * based on the public land survey
system during the founding of the county, called for surveying the land in six mile
blocks (36 square miles).
** 20 states retain active township governments, rooted in historical surveying
system. Sometimes boundaries overlap with municipalities.
** governance by board of supervisors or trustees
Special Purpose (non-school) - correct answer ** more than 90% of special
districts perform a single function
** one-third have a mission related to natural resources
** second most common function is fire protection
** growth in special districts tied to:
1) demand for new, specialized services
2) ability to circumvent debt and tax limits
3) administrative flexibility (eg., personnel and procurement rules)
Quasi-Governmental Entities - correct answer ex., UTA, URS - government
corporations
, Support business-like functions, have more freedom from regulations, may incur
debt
Fragmentation - correct answer multiple government provide overlapping,
duplicative services. One way to avoid is through service agreements.
Tribal governments - correct answer more than 590 in US
Have a nation-to-nation relationship with US and are not subordinate to states.
Most based in democracy with elected leaders.
Have the power to license and regulate activity and impose taxes.
Limited sovereignty - similar as state limitations, they cannot coin money, wage
war, or conduct foreign relations
Budget - correct answer legal document that communicates the priorities and
objectives of the government organization
1) law or ordinance w/limited life
2) expression of public policy
3) financial plan
4) communication device
Government Sovereignty - correct answer fiscal power to:
* tax citizens/corporations to raise revenue
