POLS 207 LIM TAMU EXAM 3 ACTUAL
PAPER TESTED QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS
◉ Local Gov't: Growth Trends
Answer: - School districts have been decreasing since the '50s
- Municipalities and Townships have been the same throughout
American history
- Special districts have been slowly increasing
◉ Local Gov't: Revenue Sources
Answer: Top four are:
1. Property Tax
2. Charges and Misc.
3. Utility Revenue
4. Sales Tax
Note that Texas is different as our #1 is Sales tax, and we also
don't have individual income taxes
◉ Local Gov't: Spending
Answer: The highest is K-12 Education
,◉ County Gov't
Answer: Oldest form of local gov't in America
The county is a legislative body. In conjunction with the people,
they appoint and elect executives to help run the gov't.
They are responsible for
1. Enforcing state laws
2. Keeping state records
3. Collecting Taxes
4. Conducting state elections
◉ County Gov't: Texas Organization and Election Procedures
Answer: Each county has 4 Precincts, and the commissioners for
the Commissioner's Court (our legislative body) are elected by the
precinct voters.
The Court's chief administrator, the "Judge" is elected by the
county voters (all 4 precincts, aka "at large"), as well as many
other positions.
Specific positions, like roadcrews, agents, officers, and the deputy
are appointed by the Court.
◉ County Gov't: Revenue
, Answer: Top four are:
1. Property Tax (comprising >50%)
2. License and fees
3. Grants (from Fed and state gov'ts)
4. Fines
◉ Municipalities: General law vs. Home rule
Answer: General law refers to a city whose laws are created by
their state gov't.
Home rule refers to cities who create their own laws.
Because of the inflexibility of general law, Texas permitted Home
Rule in 1912 for cities w/ populations over 5k.
◉ Municipalities: Types
Answer: There are 4 types:
1. Mayor-Council (41%)
2. Council Manager (50%)
3. Commission (3%)
4. Town Meeting (6%)
There are also hybrid forms of these
PAPER TESTED QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS
◉ Local Gov't: Growth Trends
Answer: - School districts have been decreasing since the '50s
- Municipalities and Townships have been the same throughout
American history
- Special districts have been slowly increasing
◉ Local Gov't: Revenue Sources
Answer: Top four are:
1. Property Tax
2. Charges and Misc.
3. Utility Revenue
4. Sales Tax
Note that Texas is different as our #1 is Sales tax, and we also
don't have individual income taxes
◉ Local Gov't: Spending
Answer: The highest is K-12 Education
,◉ County Gov't
Answer: Oldest form of local gov't in America
The county is a legislative body. In conjunction with the people,
they appoint and elect executives to help run the gov't.
They are responsible for
1. Enforcing state laws
2. Keeping state records
3. Collecting Taxes
4. Conducting state elections
◉ County Gov't: Texas Organization and Election Procedures
Answer: Each county has 4 Precincts, and the commissioners for
the Commissioner's Court (our legislative body) are elected by the
precinct voters.
The Court's chief administrator, the "Judge" is elected by the
county voters (all 4 precincts, aka "at large"), as well as many
other positions.
Specific positions, like roadcrews, agents, officers, and the deputy
are appointed by the Court.
◉ County Gov't: Revenue
, Answer: Top four are:
1. Property Tax (comprising >50%)
2. License and fees
3. Grants (from Fed and state gov'ts)
4. Fines
◉ Municipalities: General law vs. Home rule
Answer: General law refers to a city whose laws are created by
their state gov't.
Home rule refers to cities who create their own laws.
Because of the inflexibility of general law, Texas permitted Home
Rule in 1912 for cities w/ populations over 5k.
◉ Municipalities: Types
Answer: There are 4 types:
1. Mayor-Council (41%)
2. Council Manager (50%)
3. Commission (3%)
4. Town Meeting (6%)
There are also hybrid forms of these
