Contents 

Chapter l-Local Governments in the United States ..................................................... 1 

Types of Local Governments ...................................................................... 1 

The Overall Pattern of Local Governments ......................................................... 3 

TheReport ...................................................................................... 5 

Chapter 2-Summary of Findings ...................................................................... 7 

Key Developments from 1978 to 1990 ............................................................... 7 

Conclusion ...................................................................................... 11 

Appendices .......................................................................................... 15 

A-Interpretation ofthe Tables .................................................................... 17 

19 

C-How the State Laws Changed: 1978-1990 ........................................................ 57 

D-Citations to State Constitutions and Statutes. .................................................... 91 

E-Survey Questions for 1978 and 1990 ............................................................. 115 

B-State Laws Governing Local Government Structurc and Administration: 1990 ....................... 

vii 



Special districts are the most numerous units of local 

government. They are created either directly by state 

legislation or by local action, pursuant to state law. Special 

districts often overlie county and municipal units or may 

cross state lines. Only one-fourth of all special districts 

serve an area whose boundaries are coterminous with 

either a city, county, or a township.2O 

In 1964, ACIR identified a list of factors promoting 

creation of special districts.21 Among the financial reasons 

are: (1) debt and tax limitations on general local units; (2) the 

district’s suitability for financing services through service or 

user charges, as opposed to general tax revenues; and (3) the 

more suitable financial base that may be available to support 

a particular service by resort to special boundaries. 

Limitations on the powers of general governments 

also stimulate the creation of special districts. Such 

limitations include: (1) strict construction of local government powers, (2) lack of power for those governments to 

establish differential taxing areas within their boundaries, 

and (3) lack of authority to contract with other local units 

or to undertake joint responsibility for providing services. 

Closely related to these limitations are those imposed 

by the territorial scope of existing units of government. 

City and county areas may be too small for efficient and 

effective management of certain functions (e.g., air 

pollution control), they may not conform to the natural 

boundaries needed for a function (e.g., water basins), or 

they may not match the area in which beneficiaries have 

agreed to pay more for special services. 

Political factors often are involved in the creation of 

special districts. Citizens may believe that providing a service 

through a special district removes that service from possible 

partisan influence. In some other cases, the federal 

government stimulated the development of special districts, 

particularly conservation, drainage, flood control, and 

irrigation districts. A few types of special districts existed 

before general local governments (e.g., fire protection). 

Like counties, special districts are governed by a board. 

In some districts, the board may be elected by the public. 

More commonly, however, board members are appointed by 

officials of the states, counties, municipalities, and/or 

townships that have joined to form the special district.22 

In 1992, almost 92 percent of special districts 

performed a single function. More than a third (36 

percent) of all special districts provide sewer and water 

services, 16 percent are fire districts, 11 percent provide 

housing services, 6 percent provide education and library 

services, 4 percent are health and hospitals districts; and 4 

percent are transportation related.23 

Based on financial data, transportation districts 

dominate the “top 50” list (18 of 50), followed closely by 

power districts (14) and water and sewer districts (10). The 

remainder of the top 50 includes port authorities, housing 

finance agencies, and an airport authority, a park district, 

and a bridge and tunnel authority.24 

Special districts have several sources of revenue, and 

some districts have more than one source. Forty-three 

percent have the authority to levy property taxes (e.g., 

districts providing libraries, hospitals, health, highways, 

airports, fire, natural resources, parks and recreation, and 

cemeteries, and districts with multiple functions). Close to 

25 percent of districts may impose service charges (e.g., 

sewerage, solid waste disposal, water supply, and other 

utility districts). Slightly more than 30 percent rely on 

grants, shared taxes, rentals, and reimbursement from 

governments (e.g., education, soil and water conservation, 

and housing and community development districts). 

Other districts rely on special assessments or other taxes.25 

Those without taxing authority include some of the 

largest special districts, such as the Port Authority of New 

York and New Jersey and the Chicago Transit Authority. 

Districts may have more than one source of revenue. 

The Overall Pattern of Local Governments 

Numbers of Local Governments 

According to the U. S. Bureau of the Census, 

Americans receive services from 3,043 counties, 19,296 

municipalities, 16,666 townships, 14,556 independent 

school districts and 33,131 special districts (see Table 1).26 

Frequently, these local jurisdictions overlap (i.e., occupy 

the same temtory), although towns and townships do not 

overlie municipalities. Towns and townships, as well as most 

municipalities and special districts, generally lie within 

counties, although municipalities and special districts sometimes cross county boundaries. There are some exceptions, 

however. 

In Virginia, cities are independent entities, separate 

from the counties. In Maryland, the constitution makes the 

City of Baltimore a separate entity. Consolidated city-county 

governments have been created in several places (e.g., 

Jacksonville-Duval County, Florida; Nashville-Davidson 

County, Tennessee; and San Francisco, California). 

Local Government Structure 

The states vary markedly in their methods of regulating 

local government structure. One of the principal methods 

involves restrictions on the forms of local government that 

citizens may use and the degree, if any, to which they may 

exercise home rule (i.e., self-government or autonomy over 

internal affairs). 

In many cases, local government structures and the 

specific duties of local officials are set by the state 

constitution and laws. In other cases, this power is delegated 

to communities with home rule privileges, empowering 

them to select a form of government of their choice, perhaps 

with a few state-imposed limits on their options. 

Montana took a unique approach in its 1972 state 

constitution. The legislature provides optional or alterna- tive forms of govcrnment that the citizens of a local 

government may adopt, amend, or abandon by majority 

vote. Within four years of the ratification of the 1972 

constitution, each local government was required to 

review its structure and submit one alternative form to the 

voters. Thereafter, a local government review was 

mandatory every ten years. The provision was amended 

effective in 1979 to require an election once every ten 

years to determine if a local government will undertake a 

review procedure.27 

3 
Table 1-1 

Local Governments in the United States, 1992 

State Counties Cities' Townships Districts2 Districts Total 

School Special 

Alabama 

Alaska 

Arkansas 

Arizona 

California 

Colorado 

Connecticut 

Delaware 

District of Columbia 

Florida 

Georgia 

Hawaii 

Idaho 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kcntucky 

Louisiana 

Maine 

Maryland 

Massachusetts 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Montana 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

New Hampshire 

New Jersey 

New Mexico 

New York 

North Carolina 

North Dakota 

Ohio 

Oklahoma 

Oregon 

Pennsylvania 

Rhode Island 

South Carolina 

South Dakota 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Utah 

Vermont 

Virginia 

Washington 

West Virginia 

Wisconsin 

Wyoming 

Total 

67 

12 

15 

75 

57 

62 

3 

66 

157 

3 

44 

102 

91 

99 

105 

119 

61 

16 

23 

12 

83 

87 

82 

114 

54 

93 

16 

10 

21 

33 

57 

100 

53 

88 

77 

36 

66 

46 

64 

93 

254 

29 

14 

95 

39 

55 

72 

23 

3.043 

- 

- 

- 

440 

149 

86 

489 

460 

266 

30 

57 

1 

390 

536 

1 

199 

1,282 

566 

953 

627 

438 

30 1 

22 

155 

39 

534 

854 

294 

933 

128 

534 

18 

13 

320 

99 

620 

5 18 

366 

942 

589 

240 

1,022 

8 

270 

3 10 

339 

1,171 

228 

50 

230 

268 

231 

583 

97 

19,296 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

149 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,433 

1,008 

1,355 

- 

- 

- 

468 

312 

1,242 

1,804 

3% 

452 

221 

247 

929 

1,351 

1,317 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,548 

31 

97 1 

- 

- 

- 

- 

237 

- 

- 

- 

1,267 

16,666 

- 

129 

228 

324 

1,080 

180 

17 

19 

95 

185 

116 

997 

3 10 

445 

324 

177 

66 

88 

86 

587 

477 

176 

553 

544 

842 

17 

168 

550 

94 

714 

284 

665 

614 

340 

5 16 

4 

91 

184 

14 

1,101 

40 

278 

296 

55 

430 

56 

14,556 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

497 

14 

268 

584 

2,897 

1,317 

378 

201 

1 

489 

442 

16 

745 

2,995 

1,000 

406 

1,506 

6 10 

32 

204 

237 

401 

280 

393 

345 

1,443 

578 

1,075 

160 

118 

486 

267 

998 

335 

740 

521 

541 

870 

2,244 

84 

297 

273 

5 13 

2,392 

337 

110 

135 

1,192 

366 

399 

399 

33,13 1 

1,133 

175 

597 

1,472 

4,494 

1,825 

574 

280 

2 

1,040 

1,320 

20 

1,104 

6,809 

2,806 

1,903 

3,917 

1,344 

452 

798 

415 

850 

2,726 

3,615 

897 

3,367 

1,304 

2,296 

211 

530 

1,624 

493 

3,318 

953 

2,794 

3,533 

1,821 

1,486 

4,956 

127 

706 

1,802 

959 

4,918 

634 

689 

460 

1,795 

634 

2,75 1 

575 

86,692 

The Bureau of the Census counts consolidated city-county governments as municipal governments 

* Independent school districts. There also arc 1,488 dependcnt districts. 

Source: US. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Goveninient Orgarzizu~ion, 1992 Censirsof Govenii~zerifs, Vohne 1, Nirrnber 1, Preliminary Report (Washington, DC, 1993), p. 4. 

4 
Previous studies by ACIR have shown that home rule 

powers may be exercised in four primary areas: structure, 

function, fiscal, and/or personnel.2s Structural home rule 

allows localities to determine their own form of government. 

Functional home rule enables entities to exercise powers of 

local self-government. Fiscal home rule authorizes local 

governments to determine their revenue sources, set tax 

rates, borrow funds, and engage in other related actions. 

Home rule regarding personnel matters allows 

localities to set rules governing employment, the rates of 

remuneration, the conditions of employment, and collective bargaining, among other factors. These grants of 

power usually are limited by general state law. 

Local governments that possess discretionary authority may not always use it. Previous ACIR research 

revealed that the power to draft and adopt a charter 

frequently is not utilized by local governments, nor do 

governments amend their charters often. Knowledgeable 

observers reported that a number of factors contribute to 

this phenomenon, including federal and state court 

decisions, federal and state grant-in-aid conditions, and 

fiscal constraints.B 

The Report 

The following chapter briefly summarizes the key 

characteristics of state laws governing the structure and 

administration of municipal and county governments, 

examining forms of government and home rule, boundaries, elections, administrative operations and procedures, financial management practices, and personnel 

management. It also highlights major trends that emerged 

between an initial study of these areas in 1978 and the 

review conducted in 1990. Detailed data are displayed by 

region and by state in the accompanying Appendices. 

Notes 

‘For additional information on local governments, see US. 

Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations 

(ACIR), State arid Local Roles iii the Federal System (Washing- ton, DC, 1982); Parris N. Glendening and Mavis Mann Reeves, 

Pragmatic Federalisiii: An Iiitergoveniiiieiital view of Aiiieiicari 

Government (Pacific Palisades, California: Palisades Publishers, 1984); International City/County Management Associ- ation (ICMA), The Mrriiiciyal Year Book (Washington, DC, 

annual); and US Department of Cornmere, Bureau of the 

Census (Census), Goveiiiiiierit Oigariizatiori, 1987 Ceiisrrs of 

Goveriirnents, Volioiie 1, Niriiiber 1 (Washington, DC, 1988), 

and Govemiiient Oigaiiizatioii, 1992 Censirs of Goveiiirneiits, 

Volume 1, Number 1 (Washington, DC, forthcoming 1993). 

See also “Counties,” Oitergoveniriierital Perspective, 17 (Winter 

1991): entire issue. 

ICMA, The Municipal Year Book 1992, p. xvi. 

4See John Kincaid, “Federalism and State and Local Government,” in Godfrey Hodgson, ed., The United States, Handbooks 

to tlie Modem World, Volume 2 (New York Facts on File, 1992), 

p. 1053. 

See Census, Government Oqanization, 1957, pp. A-97, A-105, 

A-141, and A-212. 

ACIR, Significant Features of Fiscal Fecleralisni, 1992 Edition, 

Volirnie 2, Revenires arid Ex-periditiires (Washington, DC, 1992), 

p. 127. 

‘According to the Census Bureau, the term includes all cities, 

villages, boroughs (except in Alaska), and towns outside the 

New England states, Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin. 

See ibid., pp. A-3, A-44, and A-53. 

a See Census, Goveninient Organization, 1957, p. B-3. 

lo See Kincaid, “Federalism and State and Local Government,” 

“These governmental units are called towns in the six New 

England states, New York, and Wisconsin. They may or may 

not be incorporated. Twenty states, located primarily in the 

northeast and north central regions, have established towns or 

townships. 

l2 See Kincaid, “Federalism and State and Local Government,” 

p. 1054. 

l3 See Census, Government Organization, 1957, p. IX. 

l4 ACIR, Significant Featires 1992, p. 128. 

l5 See Census, Government Oiganizafion, 1987, p. XIT. 

l6 Of that number, Alaska, Hawaii, Maryland, North Carolina, 

and Virginia rely solely on dependent systems. A majority of 

schools in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 

and Tennessee are dependent systems. The vast majority of 

dependent school systems in North Carolina, Tennessee, and 

Virginia are run by counties. Counties also run some schools in 

Alaska, Arizona, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, and Wisconsin. In New Jersey and 

New England, dependent schools are arms of township 

government. 

”See Kincaid, “Federalism and State and Local Government,” 

p. 1056. 

ACIR, Sign$cauf Featnres 1992, p. 127. 

pp. 1055-1056. 

l9 See Census, Government Oigariizatiori, 1957, p. XII. 

2o See ibid., p. X. 

21 ACIR, The Pmblein of Special Districts in American Coveni22 See Kincaid, “Federalism and State and Local Government,” 

23 See Census, Government Oiganizatiort, 1992 (Preliminary 

24Amy Lamphere, “Top 50 Special Districts: 3rd Annual 

25 See Census, Goveriimerii Oiganizatiori, 1987, p. XVI. 

26 See ibid., p. B-1, and Goveriiiiierit Organization, 1992 (Prelimi27Montana Constitution, Article XI, Section 9 (2). 

28 ACIR, Memiiring Local Discretionary Airthoriv (Washington, 

DC, 1981). See also ACIR, State Coiisiitirtiorial and Statutory 

Restrictions Upon the Stnrctirral, Firrictiorial, arid Personnel 

Ponjers of Local Goveriiinerit (1962), and State Law Foiindatioris 

of Local Self-Goveniiiient: Coiistitirtional, Statutory, arid hrdicia1 Issires (forthcoming 1993). 

nient (Washington, DC, 1964). 

p. 1057. 

Report), pp. 7-8. 

Financial Report,” Ciry & State, March 23, 1992, p. 8. 

nary Report), p. 1. 

29 See ACIR, Measiiring Local Discretioriary Adtoriv, p. 7-8. 

5 
6 
2 

Summary of Findings 

Local governments are key partners in the intergovernmental system. Their role in the lives of all Americans is 

expanding, along with the roles of the federal and state 

governments. This survey (1) provides a snapshot of the legal 

relationships between state and local governments in key 

functional areas as they stood in 1990, (2) looks at some of 

the major changes that have occurred in this relationship 

Since 1978, and (3) establishes a point of comparison for 

future analyses. Sources of data for the report are the state 

constitutions and statutes, excluding local and special 

legislation. 

The study compares state laws, as of 1978 and 1990, in 

Six major categories: form of government, annexation and 

consolidation, local elections, administrative operations 

and procedures, financial management, and personnel 

management. 

Seventy-five specific areas of local government 

operationsare included in the report. Data are grouped by 

region, using U.S. Bureau of the Census classifications. 

The information shown reflects laws passed in the states 

through June 30,1990. Citations to these laws are listed in 

Appendix D. The questions on which the data collection is 

based are in Appendix E. 

This information should be used as a general but not 

absolute guide to state treatment of local affairs. Although 

constitutions and statutes are the primary sources of state 

control and regulation over local governments, they are not 

the only methods by which the states determine or influence 

the structure and administration of local government. 

Some of the areas covered by this survey, therefore, may 

be addressed by state regulations, which also have the force 

of law. In other instances, an attorney general's opinion or a 

state court ruling on a constitutional or statutosy provision 

may render it unnecessary or impossible for a state to 

legislate in a given field. Survey responses affected by these 

or other factors are not listed here. 

In addition, enactment of a state law or constitutional 

provision may not automatically bring about changes in local 

government structure or administration. For example, state 

law may authorize local home rule, but it may not become 

effective until the locality acts affirmatively on it. 

Key Developments from 1978 to 1990 

National Trends 

States vary widely in the degree to which they legislate 

in areas covered by this study (see able 2-1). 

Ohio has legislation on 113 of the 201 items examined 

in the survey, followed closely by Florida and Montana 

(112), Utah (lll), Louisiana (110), Nevada (108), Kentucky (107), Oregon (104), Wyoming (103), Colorado 

(101), and Kansas (100). 

At the other end of the spectrum are Rhode Island 

and Vermont, which have statutes on only 47 of these 

subjects. Other states with limited legislation on local 

government structure and operations include Connecticut (51); Delaware, Hawaii, and Maine (61); Alaska (65); 

and Georgia and New Hampshire (69). 

Between 1978 and 1990, states enacted an average of 16 

new laws or constitutional provisions on local government 

subjects. Most frequently, new laws were adopted dealing 

with financial and personnel management (see Table B-2). 

At the same time, states repealed an average of eight 

laws relating to local government.' In the election field, 

states removed more laws than they enacted during 

1978- 1990. 

Individual States 

Between 1978 and 1990, several states made significant changes in their laws affecting local government 

structure and administration. 

Montana made the greatest number of additions to 

its state laws (37), mostly in personnel management (17) 

or administrative operation and procedure (11). North 

Dakota was the second most active state in this regard, 

adding 27 new laws, primarily regarding form of 

government, boundaries, and administrative operations. Kentucky recorded 26 additions, with personnel 

management the major focus of activity. Following 

closely with 25 new laws were Oklahoma and Louisiana, 

with the major changes being in financial management 

and personnel management. 

7 
Table 2-1 

Laws in Force, 1990 

State of Government Boundaries Elections Administration Financial Personnel Total 

Forms 

Alabama 

Alaska 

Arizona 

Arkansas 

California 

Colorado 

Connecticut 

Delaware 

Florida 

Georgia 

Hawaii 

Idaho 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Louisiana 

Maine 

Maryland 

Massachusetts 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Montana 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

New Hampshire 

New Jersey 

New Mexico 

New York 

North Carolina 

North Dakota 

Ohio 

Oklahoma 

Oregon 

Pennsylvania 

Rhode Island 

South Carolina 

South Dakota 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Utah 

Vermont 

Virginia 

Washington 

West Virginia 

Wisconsin 

Wyoming 

6 

11 

13 

14 

16 

16 

6 

4 

14 

11 

9 

12 

13 

11 

13 

14 

12 

14 

8 

11 

8 

14 

17 

10 

13 

18 

8 

12 

8 

7 

11 

15 

6 

13 

19 

10 

11 

12 

5 

15 

14 

14 

12 

13 

0 

9 

15 

12 

17 

11 

6 

7 

6 

9 

6 

8 

3 

2 

9 

7 

0 

4 

9 

8 

2 

6 

8 

9 

3 

9 

3 

9 

9 

6 

5 

10 

5 

5 

1 

6 

10 

7 

10 

7 

10 

7 

11 

7 

1 

9 

9 

9 

8 

8 

3 

7 

11 

7 

7 

7 

11 

11 

11 

8 

12 

12 

10 

10 

11 

12 

6 

11 

9 

10 

9 

11 

8 

9 

9 

8 

6 

11 

9 

10 

11 

11 

10 

11 

7 

11 

8 

9 

8 

11 

12 

8 

11 

8 

8 

9 

10 

11 

10 

9 

9 

8 

12 

7 

12 

10 

15 

7 

4 

16 

10 

12 

5 

5 

21 

10 

5 

16 

9 

8 

14 

12 

15 

17 

8 

7 

10 

7 

7 

14 

6 

15 

8 

11 

4 

10 

10 

9 

10 

11 

14 

10 

13 

16 

9 

15 

14 

11 

8 

14 

6 

5 

13 

11 

8 

13 

23 

17 

34 

27 

35 

41 

20 

22 

37 

20 

25 

36 

38 

21 

28 

36 

39 

39 

21 

26 

29 

33 

20 

35 

38 

37 

33 

46 

32 

41 

39 

39 

34 

37 

37 

33 

41 

29 

17 

23 

39 

22 

27 

41 

17 

41 

28 

28 

24 

36 

14 

12 

6 

13 

16 

12 

7 

18 

20 

9 

16 

12 

16 

19 

23 

21 

25 

22 

12 

12 

25 

20 

14 

14 

19 

21 

23 

23 

17 

8 

8 

20 

14 

12 

21 

19 

17 

19 

7 

10 

12 

19 

15 

26 

12 

12 

16 

14 

20 

26 

75 

65 

74 

87 

95 

101 

51 

61 

112 

69 

61 

91 

94 

77 

89 

100 

107 

110 

61 

73 

81 

94 

76 

89 

92 

112 

87 

108 

69 

83 

86 

99 

82 

91 

113 

87 

104 

91 

47 

81 

98 

86 

80 

111 

47 

82 

9.5 I 

79 

88 

103 

8 

Administrative Operations and Procedures 

Several trends occurred during the 1980s relating to 

administrative operations and procedures. Forty-eight 

states now require that all local government meetings at 

which official actions are to be taken be open to the public. 

Only Delaware and Maine do not have such a requirement. This represents an increase of seven during 

the past 12 years. 

In 45 states, local government records must be open 

to public inspection at reasonable This area 

showed one of the most marked changes since 1978, with 

16 states enacting local government open-records laws 

since 1978,25 while just one repealed the law. Half of the 

states enacting open-records laws were in the South. 

There was a significant increase in the number of states 

authorizing initiative and referendum on local ordinances 

and/or resolutions, from 15 in 1978 to 26 in 1990.26 

Thirty-three states have enacted procedures for 

adoption of local government ordinances and resolutions, 

up slightly from 29 in 1978. Twenty-two states have such 

legislation for counties, almost a 60 percent rise since 1978. 

Four states enacted and one state repealed ethics laws 

for local government officials since the last survey,*’ bringing 

to 21 the number of states with such statutory guidelines.*’ 

Just a slight change was found in laws waiving sovereign 

immunity of local governments. Two-thirds of the states (36) 

now provide such a waiver, compared to 32 in 197tLB 

Only Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and 

South Carolina authorize impeachment of local government officials under authority of either the state constitution or state law. Over 80 percent of the states (42) 

establish a procedure to fill vacancies in elcctcd county 

and municipal offices. 

Financial Management 

In the past 12 years, states expanded the financial 

management requirements imposed on local governments. 

All states except Florida and Tennessee place dcbt 

limits on cities, an increase of two since 197fL30 Forty states 

place debt limits on counties as well, a net rise of only 

In most cases, the debt limit is expressed as a percentage of 

the assessed value of property or as a maximum millage rate 

amount for both cities and counties. 

Statutes in more than 60 percent of the states (32) 

specify the purposes for which local debt may be incurred. 

Since the initial survey in 1978, New Hampshire, North 

Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington havc 

added legislation in this area. Colorado and Tennessee 

removed their restrictions. 

Thirty-nine states now require a referendum for local 

bond issues, five more than in 1978. Forty-one states sct a 

maximum life for local bonds (an increase of only one from 

1978), and sinking funds for local debt service are allowed 

in 42 states. Only 24 states regulate interest-rate ceilings 

for local bonds. 

Thirty-seven states (including all the northeastern 

states) authorize short-term borrowing, compared to 30 in 

1978,32 and 37 states restrict local government investment 

of idle funds, the same number as in 1978.33 

Most states actively oversee local government 

property tax programs. Only Alabama and California do 

not set the method of local property tax assessment. 

Most states (38) impose property tax limitations on 

cities; 35 do so on 

On local government budgeting practices and procedures, 43 states set a common fiscal year for all local 

governments, up from 35 in 1978.35Thirty-eight states also 

mandate that cities and counties enact an annual 

operating budget, reflecting increases of 11 states with 

municipal budget laws and four with county budget 

statutes (one was repealed). 

Of these states, 31 specify the form of the municipal 

budget and 32 set standards for the form of county budgets. 

At least one public hearing prior to passage of the budget is 

required for cities in 34 states and for counties in 31 states. 

Since 1978, these figures rose by 15 and 7 states, respectively. 

As of 1990, only ten states had a constitutional or 

statutory provision requiring city governments to maintain a 

balanced budget. Nine states had such a law for counties.36 

Uniform accounting procedures for local governments are imposed by 35 states, a net increase of four.37 

Independent post-audit statutes have become popular as 

well. Since 1978,ll more states have imposed a post-audit 

requirement on cities, and 12 additional jurisdictions have 

passed such laws for county governments, bringing the 

totals to 38 and 31, respectively. A state audit of city 

accounts also is authorized or mandated in 29 states. 

Similarly, 30 states may audit county financial records. 

Local government purchasing standards are now set 

by 39 states, compared to 31 in 1978.38 In 1990, a slightly 

higher number (22 compared to 19) directed local 

governments to engage in competitive bidding on purchases above a certain dollar amount. Cooperative purchasing is allowed in 17 states, four more than in 1978.39 

Personnel Management 

There were varying degrees of change in state 

regulation of local government collective bargaining, 

personnel practices, and benefits. 

Laws relating to collective bargaining have been on 

the increase. Thirty-two states give municipalities collective bargaining authority, up from 25 in 1978.4’ 

Twenty-eight states have collective bargaining provisions 

for county employees, a total of six more than in 197fL4I 

Generally, the bargaining requirements are broadly 

written and apply to all employees. 

Binding arbitration for municipal employees is mandated in 14 states, reflecting the net addition of four states 

since 1978.42 Fewer states (ten) rcquire counties to 

arbitrate labor disputes with their emp10yees.~~ 

Overwhelmingly, the states do not authorize strikes 

by local government employees. Only Hawaii, Louisiana, 

Montana, and Oregon permit such actions. Alaska 

repealed its strike statute. 

In the benefits area, all but a few states require that 

municipal and county governments provide workers’ 

compensation for injury or illness caused on the 

Almost half of the states (24) require cities and counties to 

establish public employee retirement systems or participate in the state system. Since the last survey, these 

figures rose only by one for cities and three for c~unties.~’ 

LO 
State lawmakers increasingly are mandating local 

government employee training. A growing number of 

states have established minimum training standards for 

certain classes of municipal employees, especially those in 

public safety occupations. Forty-six states now set minimum training standards for city police officers and 44 

apply them to county officers, a 40 percent rise since 

1978.46 The number of states establishing minimum standards for municipal fire fighters doubled in the 12-year 

period, although only 14 states now have statutory standards. 

With regard to personnel practices, 24 states require 

cities to adopt a merit system, the same number as in 197€L4’ 

Counties in 19 states must have a merit system, up slightly 

from 17 in 1978.48 In most cases, the statutes are limited 

either to cities or counties above a certain population or to 

certain types of employees. 

Limitations on political activity of local government 

employees spread slightly during the past dozen years. 

Twenty-two states restrict this activity, up four from 1978.49 

A shift has occurred, however, from applying limitations to 

governments based on population or other factors to 

broad-based restrictions that cover all employees, regardless 

of the jurisdiction’s size or other feature^.^' 

From 1978 to 1990, states adopted few other 

personnel-related changes. As of 1990, only South 

Carolina required local governments to have affirmative action employment programs for minorities and 

women. California is the only state to mandate the 

adoption of local government pay plans based on a 

comparable worth standard. 

Conclusion 

For the more than 200 local functional and procedural 

areas surveyed in this study that were the subject of state 

law in 1990, there was an increase since 1978 in the 

number of states legislating on 47 percent of the topics, a 

decrease on 32 percent, and no change on 6 percent. 

Questions were asked for the first time in 1990 for 12 

percent of the functions, mostly in local elections, financial 

management, and personnel management. (See Appendix B 

for details by state; Appendix C, Table C-1, for details by 

aggregate numbers of states and by region.) 

By broad category, there were: 

Form of government- 12 increases in the number of 

states legislating, 4 decreases and no change for 6 

items; 

Altering boundaries and responsibilities-10 increases and 6 decreases; 

Local elections-5 increases, 3 decreases, no change 

on one, and 7 first-time questions; 

Administrative operations and procedures- 11 increases, 4 decreases, no change on one, and 13 

first-time questions; 

Financial management-27 increases, 4 decreases, no 

change on 2, and 32 first-time questions; and 

Personnel management-29 increases, 11 decreases, 

no change on 2, and 9 first-time questions. 

As the United States moves toward the 21st century, 

increasing demands will be placed on local governments to 

meet the needs of the citizenry. State laws regulating local 

government structure and administration, therefore, will 

continue to be a fertile area for study. 

Notes 

‘Although the term “repeal” is used, it should not be assumed 

that state control over a given area has been eliminatcd if alaw 

or constitutional provision was changed. In certain cases, these 

laws or provisions may have been replaccd by state regulations, 

which carry the force of law, but are outside the scope of this 

report. Again, rcadcrs are cautioned to use these data as a 

general but not absolute guide to state actions. 

*Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, 

Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, and 

Vermont do not provide by general law for optional forms of 

municipal government. 

3Since 1978, annexation legislation has been adopted in 

Delaware, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Connecticut, 

Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont 

are the only states without municipal annexation law. 

Alabama, Alaska, and Pennsylvania passed such legislation, 

while California and Kansas repealed their statutes on this 

subject. 

’Alaska, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, South 

Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin enacted 

these laws. Georgia and Ohio repealed their statutes. 

6Statutes went on the books in Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, 

North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and 

Texas, but were dropped in Virginia. 

California, Georgia, Montana, New Jcrsey, New Mexico, Ohio, 

Oklahoma, Oregon, and Wisconsin abolished this requirement 

since the last survey. Colorado, Delaware, Kentucky, Mary- land, and Pennsylvania enacted refercndum and majority 

approval statutes. 

Since 1978, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, South 

Dakota, and Wisconsin have adopted this approach. Iowa and 

New Jersey repealed statutes with this requirement. 

Adding this requirement since 1978 were California, Colorado, 

Indiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, North 

Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah. Nebraska, Nevada, and 

Virginia repealed this statute. 

Consolidation lacks statutory approval in Delaware, Georgia, 

Hawaii, Iowa, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Rhode 

Island. 

“In Virginia, a court decides this issue. Boundary review 

commissions participate in the proccss in California and 

Michigan. 

l2 Colorado, Illjnois, South Dakota, and Tcnnessee removed this 

statutory authority since 1978; it was enacted in Gcorgia and 

Ohio. City-county consolidation is allowed in California, 

Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, 

North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. 

l3 Georgia, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Ohio, and 

Oregon. 

l4 Florida, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, South 

Carolina, and Washington. 

All states except Alabama, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Hawaii, 

Massachusetts, Minnesota, and North Dakota. 

16Law on this subjcct were added in Alabama, Georgia, 

Missouri, and Ncbraska. Common citykounty election dates 

are no longer set in Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, 

11 
Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, 

Nevada, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

l7 Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, Oklahoma, 

Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and 

West Virginia do not require that write-in votes be allowed. 

Since 1978, Florida, Indiana, and Louisiana have repealed their 

authorization for write-in voting, and Connecticut, Maine, 

New Jersey, and New Mexico have mandated it. 

"Dropping their statutes during the past dozen years were 

Arkansas, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, New 

Hampshire, North Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

Oregon adopted a candidate qualification law. 

l9 New Hampshire, New Mcxico, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. 

2o Kansas, Minnesota, Utah, and Vermont adopted thcsc 

statutes. Oklahoma, New Hampshire, and South Dakota 

repealed theirs, producing the net increase of one. 

21Although little net change occurred in these figures, only 

Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, and 

Washington have maintained their laws throughout the 

1978-1990 period. Arizona, Maryland, Nevada, North Dakota, 

Ohio, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming repealed laws 

that had been in force in 1978. Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, 

and Texas adopted statutes in this field. 

22 Since 1978, only Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, New York, and 

Tennessee have enacted recall statutes. Pennsylvania and 

Wyoming recall laws were eliminated. 

23 Alabama, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, North 

Dakota, and Oklahoma. 

24All states except Alaska (which repealed the statute it had in 

effcct in 1978), Arizona, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washing- ton. 

25 Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missis- sippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, 

Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, 

Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

26Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Washing- ton, Wisconsin, and Wyoming added laws in this area, while 

Alabama, New Jersey, and South Carolina repealed relevant 

statutes. 

27New ethics laws went on the books in Arkansas, Colorado, 

Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, and New York. 

Statutes were eliminated in California, New Jersey, North 

Dakota, and South Dakota. 

2s In addition to those states listed in note 26, Alabama, Florida, 

Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, 

Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, and West 

Virginia have ethics laws for local officials. 

29 Minnesota, Pcnnsylvania, and West Virginia repealed their 

sovereign immunity waiver laws since 1978. Arkansas, Georgia, 

Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, and Oklahoma 

enacted statutes waiving the immunity. 

30 Tennessee repealcd its statute during the study period. Newly 

adopted laws in Maryland, Nebraska, and Texas produced the 

net increase. 

31 Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas, 

Vermont, and Virginia are the only states without debt 

restrictions on counties. In 1978, Nebraska and Virginia had 

such laws. They have subsequently been repealed. 

32 Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas no longer 

have statutes in this area. Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, 

Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, North Dakota, South 

Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington adopted local 

government short-term borrowing limitations. 

33 Over the past 12 years, Hawaii, New Hampshire, and North 

Dakota adopted statutes in this area. Arkansas, Indiana, and 

Minnesota repealed their restrictions. 

34 Arizona, Idaho, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and 

Rhode Island adopted property tax limitations for their 

municipalities, while Delaware, Georgia, Oklahoma, and 

Wisconsin removed their restrictions. Limitations were imposed on county property taxes by Arizona, Idaho, Massachu- setts, New Jersey, and Virginia. An equal number of states 

abolished restraints (Alaska, Georgia, Oklahoma, Utah, and 

Wisconsin). Arizona, Idaho, Massachusetts, and New Jersey 

added restrictions for both cities and counties, and Georgia, 

Oklahoma, and Wisconsin eliminated their restrictions on 

both cities and counties. 

35 All states except Alaska, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, 

Michigan, and Minnesota set a common fiscal year. 

36Balanced budget requirements apply to cities and counties in 

Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, 

North Carolina, and Utah. Kentucky and Missouri cities 

operate under this constraint, as do counties in California. 

37 Since 1978, Illinois, Montana, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, 

South Carolina, Washington, Vermont, and West Virginia 

mandated uniform accounting standards. Alabama, New 

Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, and South Dakota removed this 

rcquirement from their statutes. 

3s Purchasing laws were enacted in Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, 

Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota. Kansas and Maryland 

repealed their statutes on this subject. 

39 Authorizations for cooperative purchasing are in force in 

Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, 

Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, 

New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and 

Virginia. 

40Due to statutory enactments since 1978, city employees now 

have the benefits of collective bargaining in Delaware, Hawaii, 

Illinois, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Rhode 

Island, and Texas. That option is no longer available to 

municipal employees in Indiana and New Mcxico. 

41 Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Pennsylvania, 

and Texas authorized county collective bargaining. Indiana 

repealed its authorization in this area. 

42 Binding arbitration is called for in Connecticut, Delaware, 

Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, 

Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, and 

Wyoming. Statutes were enacted in Delaware, Florida, 

Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island. Alaska rcpcalcd its 

arbitration law. 

43 Delaware, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Ncvada, New York, 

Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wyoming treat municipal 

and county cmployces similarly by requiring arbitration. The 

arbitration option in Louisiana and Oklahoma applies only to 

city workers. Since 1978, Alaska, Hawaii, and Nebraska have 

repealed arbitration statutes for county eniployccs. The 

addition of statutes in Delaware, Florida, Maine, and 

Pennsylvania produced a net increase of one since 1978. 

44 Coverage is optional in Delaware, Mississippi, Tcnncssee, and 

Virginia for both municipal and county employees and in 

Rhode Island for city employees only. 

45 Acting in the municipal pension area were Florida, Kentucky, 

Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Utah. 

Almost an equal number, however, repealed thcir mandatory 

coverage requirements (Arkansas, California, Louisiana, 

North Dakota, Oregon, and Wisconsin). Arkansas, California, 

Oregon, and Texas also dropped their pension coverage 

statutes for county employees. Mandatory coverage laws went 

12 
on the books in Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Utah. 

46City police officers must meet state-mandated training 

standards in all jurisdictions except Arizona, Hawaii, New 

Jersey, and West Virginia. County law enforcement officials 

must comply with state-imposed training requirements in all 

states except Arkansas, Arizona, Hawaii, and Maine. 

47Alabama, Montana, and North Dakota added statutory merit 

system requirements. Similar statutes were repealcd in 

Minnesota, Oregon, and Virginia. 

48 Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, and Wyoming imposed 

new merit system requirements on counties. Such requirements were abolished in North Carolina, South Carolina, and 

Virginia. 

49New laws limiting political activity were enacted in Hawaii, 

Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dako- ta, and Oklahoma. (Unlike the other states, North Carolina did 

not apply its law to all jurisdictions.) Illinois, New York, and 

Oregon dropped their prior constraints on local government 

employees in this regard. 

50 Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Utah changed their laws 

to cover all jurisdictions. 

13 
14 
Appendices 

15 
16 
A 

Interpretation of the Tables 

Although most of the terms and phrascs used in the 

tables are sclf-explanatory, some require clarification. 

Form of Government 

1 and 2. Cities. This term is used to denote all units of 

general local government othcr than counties (e.g., towns, 

townships, and boroughs). 

3. Number of forms authorized. This is a rough cstimate of 

the number of forms of govcrnment authorized by gencral 

law. It is uscd to indicate the rangeof optionsavailable tolocal 

governments in determining organizational structure. 

3c. Structural home rule authoriry isgranted This should be 

interprctcd to mean that local governments have been 

granted some degree of autonomy in determining their form 

of government. 

3d. Broad functional home rule authority is granted. This 

should be interpreted to mean that local governmcnts have 

been given a great deal of autonomy in carrying out local 

government functions, that local govcrnment powers are 

broad and allow for wide local discretion. 

3e. Limited functional home rule authoriv is granted. This 

indicates that local governments have bccn given little 

autonomy in carrying out local functions, that local governmental powers are greatly circumscribed, and that limited 

local discretion is permitted. Consult the statutory and 

constitutional citations for the justification uscd to determine 

a positive response to Questions 3d and 3e. 

4c. See “3” above. 

4d. See “3d” above. 

4c. See “3e” above. 

Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. Municipal annexation. This term is used to dcnotc the 

incorporation into a municipality of unincorporated tcrritory. 

4. Interlocal service agreements. Many jurisdictions 

cooperate with theirneighborsby entering intocontractual 

arrangements that have the effect of shifting responsibilities for delivery of a given service (e.g., police dispatch or 

fireprotection)from one jurisdiction to the othcr (e.g., city 

to county). 

Administrative Operations and Procedures 

2. Local government records. This term encompasses not 

only the minutes of thc public meetings of the local govcrning 

authority but financial and other public rccords as wcll. 

5. Initiative and referendum. This phrase describes a 

procedure whereby the electorate may initiate and enact 

ordinances through a refcrcndum process. 

6. CodiJication. This term denotcs a comprehensive, 

cross-indexcd code of ordinances and not merc publication of 

ordinances or compilation of ordinances in one volume. 

9. Sovereign immunity . . . has been waived. This question 

refers to general waivcrs of the defense of sovereign 

immunity for acts or conduct of local govcrnment officials or 

employees which cause harm or injury to the public. vhe 

doctrine of sovereign immunity holds that public entities 

cannot be sued without their consent.) In most states, 

sovcrcign immunity hasbeen abrogated citherby statute or by 

judicial decision. 

Financial Management 

1. Debt limits. This tcrm refers to the m‘wimum amount of 

debt authorized to be incurred by a unit of local government. 

In some states, the term means any obligation in excess of onc 

year; in others, it is defincd as only those obligations for which 

the full faith and credit of the local government is plcdged, a 

definition which would exclude revenue bonds, for example. 

The scope of the term “debt” depends on statutory and 

case law construction in each state. If a limit is imposed, it is 

usually expressed as a perccntage of assessed property value 

in the political subdivision or as a maximum millage rate. 

3. State law specifies the purposes for wliich local debt may be 

incurred This means that state law limits the purposes for 

which debt may be incurred by delineating exactly what is 

allowed; all purposes not listed are assumcd to be prohibited. 

4, 5, and 6. General obligation bonds. The term “general 

obligation” dcnotes all bonds for which the full taxing power 

of the city or county has been pledged to assure repaymcnt. 

The term does not reflect the purposes for which the 

proceeds of the bond will be used. 

Interest-rate ceiling refers to the maximum interest rate. 

7. Short-term borrowing. Loans of lirnitcd duration thai 

17 
are taken out in anticipation of definite rcvcnues soon to be 

realized constitute short-term borrowing. 

8 and 9. Propery tax limits. This refers to millage 

limitations on ad valorem property taxes. 

15 and 16b. Independent audits. This means audits 

conducted by a certified public accountant or other competent outside accountant or firm of accountants under contract 

with the local govcrnmcnt. 

17. Common fiscal yea,: This means that a common fiscal 

year has been established for cities and one for counties, but 

not necessarily the same fiscal year. Ordinarily, a fiscal year does 

not correspond to a calendar year. 

18. Idle finds. Monies in the public treasury that are 

available for investment by the local governing authority are 

idle funds. An affirmative response to this question means 

that state law limits or prescribes the way in which local 

governments may invest these funds. 

Personnel Management 

1. Merit system. This term is used in its broadest sense, that 

is, a comprehensive personnel system in which appointment and 

promotion of employees in local government arc based on merit 

rather than political affiliation. 

*** 

In a few instances, 1978 data have been revised to correct 

errors that appeared in the original version of this study. The 

data rcflcctcd in the 1978 study were collected between 

1976-1978. 

18 

L 
State Laws Governing 

Local Government Structure 

and Administration: 1990 

19 





































How the State Laws Changed: 1978-1990 

Table C1 

The 50 States-Changes between 1978 and 1990 

Section 

A B C D E F Total 

State + - +- +- +- +- +- + - 

Southern Region 

Alabama 

Arkansas 

Delaware 

Florida 

Georgia 

Kentucky 

Louisiana 

Maryland 

Mississippi 

North Carolina 

Oklahoma 

South Carolina 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Virginia 

West Virginia 

Total 

00 2 1 30 3 3 

90 00 0 1 5 1 

0 1 20 00 00 

12 1 1 0 1 00 

0 1 32 40 20 

5 1 4 1 0 1 3 1 

00 3 1 02 50 

0 1 3 1 1 1 30 

40 00 0 1 70 

22 10 00 1 3 

23 1 1 12 5 0 

12 0 1 00 13 

1 1 13 20 23 

05 30 10 0 1 

10 24 0 1 00 

10 00 02 1 1 

27 19 26 16 12 12 38 16 

23 8 2 

3 2 76 

2 1 92 

40 6 1 

0 3 0 0 

33 11 2 

9 1 82 

8 2 40 

2 1 5 2 

1 2 5 5 

96 72 

5 3 1 2 

48 4 1 

82 64 

73 2 8 

7 1 22 

74 41 85 41 

18 

24 

13 

12 

9 

26 

25 

19 

18 

10 

25 

8 

14 

18 

12 

11 

9 

10 

4 

5 

6 

9 

6 

5 

4 

12 

14 

11 

16 

12 

16 

6 

Western Region 

Alaska 

Arizona 

California 

Colorado 

Hawaii 

Idaho 

Montana 

Nevada 

New Mexico 

Oregon 

Utah 

Washington 

Wyoming 

Total 

10 32 

63 20 

4 1 25 

42 2 1 

10 00 

80 00 

4 1 2 1 

1 1 1 1 

22 1 2 

14 0 1 

14 20 

10 1 1 

2 1 00 

36 19 16 14 

00 1 1 1 1 43 10 7 

0 1 10 60 00 15 4 

10 04 40 42 15 12 

10 30 32 50 18 5 

0 1 10 5 2 52 12 5 

00 70 52 40 24 2 

00 11 0 32 17 2 37 6 

02 03 1 0 0 1 38 

10 0 0 82 04 12 10 

10 10 1 2 0 10 4 17 

10 0 1 02 75 11 12 

10 2 1 6 1 5 0 16 3 

03 3 1 83 42 17 10 

67 30 11 51 19 55 31 

North Central Region 

Illinois 00 0 1 0 1 30 62 42 13 6 

Indiana 6 1 2 1 12 3 1 73 5 5 24 13 

Iowa 5 0 0 1 00 3 1 24 6 1 16 7 

Kansas 32 12 10 10 14 50 12 8 

Michigan 0 1 10 00 20 8 1 6 0 17 2 

Minnesota 90 00 2 1 2 1 05 3 4 16 11 

Missouri 00 1 1 20 1 0 8 0 70 19 1 

Nebraska 10 0 1 2 1 1 4 8 3 11 1 23 10 

North Dakota 6 0 50 03 33 9 0 4 2 27 8 

Ohio 00 32 02 0 1 35 3 1 9 11 

South Dakota 00 53 02 23 9 1 00 16 9 

Wisconsin 62 2 1 02 20 72 42 21 9 

Total 36 6 20 13 8 14 23 14 68 30 58 18 

Northeast Region 

Connecticut 00 00 20 00 4 1 1 1 72 

52 20 1 1 20 1 1 33 14 7 

Massachusetts 20 30 00 10 10 2 42 204 

40 00 03 00 10 0 10 15 3 

12 20 04 2 1 20 77 

16 4 

00 

00 00 1 1 20 11 1 

40 00 2 1 72 30 16 3 

80 00 

1 0 00 00 10 3 0 30 

Vermont 0 1 10 1 1 00 3 0 22 74 

21 10 

Maine 

New Hampshire 

New York 

Pennsylvania 

Rhode Island 

Total 12 3 11 2 76 8 5 51 8 

New Jersey 22 

Note: A-Form of Government, B-Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities, C--Local Elections, D-Administrative Operatiom and 

Procedures, E-Financial Management, and F-Personnel Management. 

59 
Table C2 

Regional Comparison, 1978 and 1990 

Key 

X applicable law in effect in 1990 and 1978 surveys (if the question was asked in 1978) + applicable law enacted after 1978 survey - applicable law in effect at time of 1978 survey repealed or otherwise rendered inapplicable before 1990 

* see note in citation section 

na question not asked 

NorthSouth west Central 

1990 1978 1990 1978 1990 1978 

Northeast 

1990 1978 

Change ’ 

Total 1978- 

1990 1978 1990 

A. Form of Government 

1. 

2. 

Optional forms of government in general law for cities 

Optional forms of government in general law for counties 

12 

7 

3. Home rule authority granted to cities 15 

a. By state constitution 

b. By general law 

c. Structural home rule 

d. Broad functional home rule 

e. Limited functional home rule 

9 

11 

12 

10 

3 

4. Home rule authority granted to counties 9 

a. By state constitution 

b. By general law 

c. Structural home rule 

d. Broad functional home rule 

e. Limited functional home rule 

5. Classes of cities provided for 9 

a. Determined by population 

b. Determined by area 

c. Determined in some other way 

9 

1 

0 

6. Limits imposed on incorporation of new local government units 15 

a. Minimum population required 14 

b. Minimum area required 5 

c. Minimum distance from existing units required 8 

d. Minimum ad valorem tax base required 0 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. Municipal annexation authorized by general law 16 

a. Initiated by a petition of property owners in area to be 

annexed-percentage of property owners required 12 

b. Initiated by city ordinance or resolution 12 

c. Public hearing required 10 

d. Referendum and majority approval in city required 8 

f. Approval of county governing authority required 1 

e. Referendum and majority approval (or majority written 

consent) in area to be annexed required 11 

2. Consolidation of cities authorized 14 

a. Referendum and majority approval of only one city required 0 

b. Referendum and majority approval of each city required 10 

c. No referendum required 4 

3. Consolidation of cities and counties authorized 5 

a. Referendum and majority approval of each city affected required 1 

c. Referendum and majority approval of unincorporated 

4. Interlocal service agreements authorized by general law 

b. Referendum and majority approval of county required 4 

area of county required 0 

or by state constitution 14 

12 

8 

12 

9 

9 

9 

9 

0 

7 

7 

3 

7 

8 

1 

10 

8 

na 

2 

15 

14 

4 

10 

3 

13 

11 

9 

10 

8 

5 

12 

8 

9 

6 

6 

6 

9 

7 

0 

2 

12 

12 

4 

10 9 9 

4 76 

12 12 11 

11 11 11 

6 84 

11 10 10 

4 86 

7 34 

11 11 7 

9 75 

6 74 

9 87 

4 52 

5 65 

8 99 

8 99 

na 0 na 

0 00 

11 12 12 

8 96 

2 72 

9 35 54 

2 30 33 

15 

11 

12 

7 

5 

12 12 12 12 

10 10 9 10 

95 107 

87 75 

21 43 

10 36 35 

162 42 

13 10 10 11 10 

2 12 11 

7 88 107 

2 10 02 

5 67 34 

4 35 21 

3 34 01 

2 01 10 

13 11 10 99 

C. Local Elections 

1. State law establishes date for local elections 

a. One date for cities and counties 

b. One date for cities only 

c. One date for counties only 

16 13 12 11 12 11 

10 10 8 10 49 

2 na 4 na 7 na 

6 na 3 na 7 na 

60 

68 

32 

88 

66 

64 

85 

22 

66 

53 

22 

42 

43 

22 

21 

34 

33 

0 na 

00 

11 

11 

11 

00 

00 

42 

32 

10 

21 

01 

22 

00 

75 

00 

65 

10 

00 

00 

00 

00 

87 

88 

36 

3 na 

3 na 

37 39 -2 

21 21 0 

48 43 +5 

37 37 0 

34 23 +11 

40 35 +5 

28 21 +I 

17 17 0 

37 23 +9 

23 23 0 

25 15 +10 

24 25 -1 

21 16 +5 

14 12 +2 

30 31 -1 

2828 0 

1 na 

22 0 

40 39 +1 

36 29 +7 

17 9 +8 

6 5 +1 

16 18 -2 

44 41 +3 

34 33 +1 

32 24 +8 

27 20 +7 

14 10 +4 

19 23 -4 

11 5 +6 

42 38 +4 

2 5 -3 

34 27 +I 

6 4 +2 

14 16 -2 

6 10 -4 

7 8 -1 

1 3 -2 

42 39 +3 

48 43 +5 

25 35 -10 

16 na 

19 na 
Table C2 (cont.) 

Regional Comparison, 1978 and 1990 

North- Change 

Central Northeast Total 1978- 

1990 1978 1990 1978 1990 1978 1990 

South 

1990 1978 

West 

1990 1978 

12 12 

34 

9 11 6 7 37 45 -8 

13 2 1 10 12 -2 

11 10 8 8 46 45 +1 

12 12 9 9 50 50 0 

12 11 9 8 49 45 +4 

2 State law sets candidate qualifications for local elections 

3. State law limits campaign expenditures of candidates 

4. State law imposes campaign financial disclosure requirements 

5. State law sets voter qualifications for local elections 

6. State law requires local governments to provide 

7. State law requires local governments to allow write-in votes 

8. State law establishes a procedure for recall of lccal elected officials 

a. Initiative and referendum authorized 

b. Some other method of recall provided 

9. State law establishes voter registration procedure 

a. One registration suffices for all elections 

b. Voter must register for local elections separately 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

for local office 

on candidates for local office 

for absentee voting in local elections 

in local elections 

10 15 

44 

15 16 

16 16 

12 11 

13 13 

15 13 13 13 

12 14 

52 

5 na 

0 na 

16 na 

15 na 

1 na 

11 10 

9 10 

9 na 

0 na 

13 na 

11 na 

2 na 

10 11 6 3 39 38 +1 

87 11 2320+3 

8 na 1 na 23 na 

0 na 0 na 0 na 

12 na 9 na 50 na 

10 na 9 na 45 na 

2 na 0 na 5 na 

1. State law requires that all local government meetings 

2. State law requires that local government records be open 

3. State law mandates a procedure for adoption 

at which official action is taken be open to the public 15 

16 

11 

to public inspection at reasonable hours 

of municipal ordinances and/or resolutions 

form and legality by city attorney 

a. All proposed ordinances/resolutions must be in writing 4 

b. All proposed ordinances/resolutions must be approved as to 

c. All proposed ordinances/resolutions must relate 

d. All proposed ordinances/resolutions must receive at least 

0 

to only one subject 6 

two readings and be finally approved on a different day 

than the day introduced 6 

e. The final vote on all ordinances/resolutions must be recorded 

3 

4. State law mandates a procedure for adoption of county 

ordinances and/or resolutions 9 

5. State law authorizes initiative and referendum on local 

ordinances and/or resolutions 3 

6. State law requires codification of municipal ordinances/resolutions 5 

7. State law requires codification of county ordinandresolutions 5 

8. Local elected officials subject to a state-imposed Code of Ethia 8 

a. Violators subject to fine 6 

b. Violators subject to removal from office 6 

9. Sovereign immunity for local government torts has been waived 

when so requested by any member 

by the state 12 

10. Impeachment of local officials authorized 4 

11 13 11 12 11 8 8 48 41 +7 

8 10 9 11 7 8 6 45 30 +15 

8 7 3 2 33 29 +4 

11 1 1 13 16 -3 

11 

7 

11 9 

77 

0 00 

52 

01 00 0 1 -1 

4 45 1 1 16 12 +4 

7 44 57 22 1720 -3 

7 45 55 1 1 13 18 -5 

7 75 4 2 2 0 22 14 +8 

11 4 

32 

21 

75 

45 

34 

9 3 3 4 26 15 +11 

21 1 1 11 8 +3 

10 00 85+3 

34 3 3 21 17 +4 

12 3 2 14 12 +2 

23 2 3 13 13 0 

8 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

98 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

10 10 5 6 36 32 +4 

0 na 1 na 5 na 

0 na 0 na 3 na 

0 na 1 na 2 na 

0 na 1 na 3 na 

0 na 1 na 4 na 

a. By state constitution 

b. By state law 

c. Grounds enumerated 

d. Procedure 

3 

1 

2 

3 

11. State law establishes procedure to fill vacancies in elected 

county offices 15 11 na 

11 na 

0 na 

9 na I na 42 na 

8 na 7 na 40 na 

1 na 1 na 4 na na 

na 

na 

na 

a. By appointment 

b. By speciaygeneral election 

14 

2 

12. State law establishes procedure to fill vacancies in elected 

city offices 14 11 na 7 na 42 na 

10 na 5 na 35 na 

0 na 3 na 9 na 

10 na 

9 na 

1 na 

na 

na 

na 

11 

5 

a. By appointment 

b. By speciaugeneral election 

13. State constitution or statutory law authorizes state “takeover” 

14. State law requires partisan representation on local boards 

of administration of local government 

and commissions 0 

61 

1 0 na 0 na 0 na 1 na 

1 na 0 na 2 na 

na 

na 1 na 
Table C2 (cont.) 

Regional Comparison, 1978 and 1990 

NorthCentral 

1990 1978 

Changk 

Total 1978- 

1990 1978 1990 

South West 

1990 1978 1990 1978 

Northeast 

1990 1978 

E. Financial Management 

1. Debt limits imposed on cities 

a. Limit expressed as a percentage of assessed property value 

b. Limit expressed in some other way 

2. Debt limits imposed on counties 

a. Limit expressed as a percentage of assessed property value 

or as a maximum millage rate amount 

b. Limit expressed in some other way 

3. State law specifies purposes for which local debt may 

be incurred 

4. State law requires a referendum for local bond issues 

a. Referendum required for all local bond issues 

b. Referendum required only for general obligation bond issues 

5. State law establishes a maximum bond life for local bonds 

a. Maximum life established for all local bonds 

b. Maximum life established only for general obligation 

6. State law establishes interest ceiling(s) for local government bonds 

a. For all local bonds 

b. For general obligation bonds 

7. State law permits short-term borrowing by local units 

a. Prior state approval necessary 

b. Short-term debt must be repaid within fd year incurred 

8. Property tax limits imposed on cities 

9. Property tax limits imposed on counties 

10. State law establishes method of property tax assessment 

11. Cities required to adopt an annual operating budget 

or as a maximum millage rate amount 

bond issues 

for local governments 

a. State law specifies budget form 

b. At least one public hearing required prior to budget adoption 

c. Additional procedural requirements for budget adoption 

in state law 

12. Counties required to adopt an annual operating budget 

a. State law specifies budget form 

b. At least one public hearing required prior to budget adoption 

c. Additional procedural requirements for budget adoption 

in state law 

13. Local governments required to follow uniform accounting 

procedures in state law or as established by state agency 

14. State law sets purchasing standards for local governments 

a. Competitive bidding on all purchases over a specified 

b. Competitive bidding on all purchases of a designated 

c. Reference must be given to local or state businesses 

d. The purchasing function required to be centralized 

e. Cooperative purchasing by local units-either jointly or 

amount required 

type required 

whenever possible 

in one person or office 

in amjunction with the state-authorized or provided for 

15. State law requires cities to conduct an independent post-audit 

a. State law specifies audit content 

b. Audits must be filed with the state 

a. State law specifies audit content 

b. Audits must be filed with the state 

16. State law requires counties to conduct an independent post-audit 

14 13 13 13 12 11 99 48 46 +2 

13 na 10 na 

2 na 4 na 

12 12 13 11 

12 na 

0 na 

11 12 

8 na 

1 na 

44 

43 na 

7 na 

40 39 +1 

12 na 9 na 

2 na 4 na 

11 na 

0 na 

3 na 

1 na 

35 na 

7 na 

9 8 10 10 

13 12 12 11 

10 na 8 na 

3 na 4 na 

14 14 10 11 

12 na 10 na 

54 

10 9 

7 na 

3 na 

10 10 

9 na 

87 

42 

2 na 

2 na 

75 

7 na 

32 29 +3 

39 34 +5 

27 na 

12 na 

41 40 +1 

38 na 

2 na 0 na 

88 57 

7 na 5 na 

1 na 0 na 

10 9 11 7 

03 11 

13 30 

10 13 12 10 

11 12 10 10 

1 na 

88 

6 na 

2 na 

75 

00 

13 

11 12 

10 11 

0 na 

32 

3 na 

0 na 

99 

01 

30 

51 

42 

3 na 

21 na 

3 na 

37 30 +7 

15-4 

8 6 +2 

38 36 +2 

35 35 0 

24 25 -1 

15 16 12 12 

11 8 12 10 

94 97 

94119 

12 12 

11 8 

97 

10 5 

99 

41 

41 

41 

48 49 -1 

38 27 +11 

31 19 +12 

34 19 +15 

6 na 8 na 

10 11 12 11 

96 99 

85 109 

9 na 

11 9 

97 

97 

2 na 

53 

53 

43 

25 na 

38 34 +4 

32 25 +7 

31 24 +7 

I na 8 na 6 na 2 na 23 na 

13 11 9 7 

12 12 11 11 

67 

94 

76 

74 

35 31 +4 

39 31 +8 

87 67 43 42 22 19 +3 

22 33 01 00 5 6 -1 

33 45 30 10 11 8 +3 

44 23 53 11 12 11 +1 

17 13 +4 

38 27 +11 

18 +3 

25 20 +5 

31 19 +12 

16 12 +4 

21 12 +9 

56 63 

12 8 11 8 

47 51 

64 86 

95 109 

42 76 

42 86 

62 

10 

86 

55 

65 

83 

22 

72 

54 

75 

4 21 

55 

42 

32 

22 
Table C2 (cont.) 

Regional Comparison, 1978 and 1990 

NorthCentral 

1990 1978 

Change 

Total 1978- 

1990 1978 1990 

South West 

1990 1978 1990 1978 

Northeast 

1990 1978 

17. State law establishes a common fiscal year for cities or 

18. The investment of idle funds by cities and counties prescribed 

19. State law authorizes state “takeover” of the financial administration 

for counties or for both 

by state law 

of the city 

a. Grounds 

b. Procedure 

20. State law authorizes state “takmef’ of the financial administration 

of the county 

a. Grounds 

b. Procedure 

21. State law provides for marketing of local bonds 

22. State law provides for maintenance of a “sinking fund” 

for local debt service 

a. Mandated 

b. Discretionary 

a. State Function 

b. Local function 

a. For cities 

b. For counties 

a. For cities 

b. For counties 

c. Enumerated conditions 

23. Property tax assessment 

24. State constitution or statutory law mandates a balanced budget 

25. State law authorizesfmandates state audit of local accounts 

F. Personnel Management 

1. State law requires cities to adopt a merit system 

a. Requirement applies only to cities over a certain population, 

of a certain class, or of a specified form of government 

b. Requirement applies only to certain municipal employees 

c. Cities required to adopt a job classification and pay plan 

d. Cities required to provide for at least an annual evaluation 

e. Cities required to establish an employee grievance pdure 

2 State law requires counties to adopt a merit system 

a. Requirement applies only to counties over a certain 

population or of a specified form of government 

b. Requirement applies only to certain county employees 

3. State law authorizes cities to engage in collective bargaining 

with public employee representatives 

a. Broad authority applies to all municipal employees 

b. Limited authority applies to certain groups or classes 

c. In the event of impasse, binding arbitration mandated 

4. State law authorizes counties to engage in collective bargaining 

with public employee representatives 

a. Broad authority applies to all county employees 

b. Limited authority applies to certain groups or classes 

c. In the event of impasse, binding arbitration mandated 

5. State law permits strikes by certain designated public employee 

groups 6. State law requires that local governments actively and affirmatively 

seek out minority and women candidates for available 

local government positions 

7. State law requires that city employees reside in the city 

8. State law requires that county employees reside in the county 

of employee job performance 

for municipal workers 

of municipal employees 

of county employees 

88 

87 

14 

11 

12 

12 

12 10 

11 10 

95 

78 

1 na 

0 na 

0 na 

43 35 +8 

37 37 0 

4 na 

2 na 

0 na 

1 

1 

0 

1 na 

0 na 

0 na 

1 na 

1 na 

0 na 

na 

na 

na 

1 na 

0 na 

0 na 

4 na 

1 na 

0 na 

0 na 

5 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

4 na 

8 na 

5 na 

3 na 

9 na 

0 na 

9 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

5 na 

5 na 

4 na 

2 na 

3 na 

1 na 

0 na 

22 na 

42 na 

31 na 

11 na 

50 na 

4 na 

46 na 

11 na 

10 na 

9 na 

32 na 

29 na 

30 na 

12 na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

13 10 na 

7 na 

3 na 

13 na 

1 na 

12 na 

4 na 

3 na 

4 na 

10 na 

10 na 

10 na 

3 na 

11 na 

11 na 

0 na 

12 na 

1 na 

11 na 

2 na 

2 na 

1 na 

8 na 

8 na 

8 na 

4 na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

8 

5 

16 

2 

14 I 

10 10 44 88 22 24 24 0 

6 

2 

7 

10 

5 

7 

32 

22 

23 

55 

65 

22 

22 

00 

16 19 -3 

10 12 -2 

11 12 13 -1 

1 na 0 na 0 na 0 na 1 na 

1 

6 

1 

7 

04 

54 

00 

64 

00 

22 

15-4 

19 17 +2 

1 

5 

5 

3 

32 

21 

53 

21 

22 

12 

11 12 -1 

10 7 +3 

2 

1 

10 9 

75 

34 

45 

87 

76 

11 

00 

87 

77 

10 

65 

32 25 i7 

22 19 +3 

10 6 +4 

14 10 +4 

1 

0 

4 

1 

2 

1 

10 9 

77 

87 

77 

64 

64 

28 22 +6 

21 19 +2 

3 

2 

1 

0 

32 

46 

10 

01 

00 

42 

7 3 +4 

10 9 +1 

1 0 33 00 00 4 3 +1 

00 

00 

00 

00 

00 

00 

1 0 +1 

0 1 -1 

0 2 -2 

1 

0 

0 

63 

0 

0 

1 

00 

01 

01 
Table C2 (cont.) 

Regional Comparison, 1978 and 1990 

South 

1990 1978 

West 

1990 1978 

NorthCentral 

1990 1978 

Northeast 

1990 1978 

Change 

Total 1978- 

1990 1978 1990 

9. State law imposes personnel training requirements on certain 

a. Minimum training for city police required 15 11 

b. Minimum training for city fire fighters required 65 

municipal employees 15 11 

c. Minimum training for other city employees required 34 

10. State law imposes personnel training requirements on certain 

county employees 16 12 

a. Minimum training for county police required 15 11 

b. Minimum training for other county employees required 44 

11. State law requires cities to establish a municipal retirement 

system or to participate in the state retirement system 54 

a. Requirement applies to all cities 

b. Requirement applies to all city employees 

21 

31 

12. State law requires all counties to establish a county retirement 

system or to participate in the state retirement system 65 

a. Requirement applies to all county employees 62 

b. Requirement applies only to police and/or fire department 

personnel 00 

13. City employees covered by workers’ compensation 16 16 

a. Coverage mandated by state law 12 13 

14. County employees covered by workers’ compensation 16 15 

b. Coverage optional for each city 43 

a. Coverage mandated by state law 

b. Coverage optional for each county 

12 11 

44 

15. State law prohibits political activity by city or county employees 10 7 

a. Prohibition general and applies to all cities and counties 9 4 

b. Prohibition applies only to certain types or classes of employees 4 5 

16. State law mandates that local government adopt pay plans 0 na 

a. Equal pay for equal work 

b. Comparable worth 

0 na 

0 na 

17. State law authorizes specific benefits for local government workers 0 na 

a. Health insurance 

b. Family leave 

c Daycare 

d. Other 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

11 5 

11 5 

21 

13 

11 5 

11 5 

24 

77 

63 

10 

67 

22 

44 

13 13 

13 13 

00 

13 13 

13 13 

00 

54 

41 

13 

1 na 

0 na 

1 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

12 8 

12 8 

41 

30 

12 8 

12 8 

60 

9 10 

79 

11 

97 

65 

32 

12 12 

12 12 

00 

12 12 

12 12 

00 

54 

31 

23 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

88 

88 

20 

02 

66 

66 

10 

32 

32 

00 

32 

00 

32 

99 

86 

13 

77 

76 

01 

23 

11 

12 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

46 32 +14 

46 32 +14 

14 7 +7 

7 9 -2 

45 31 +14 

44 30 +14 

13 8 +5 

24 2.3 +1 

18 15 +3 

5 2 +3 

24 21 +3 

14 9 +5 

10 8 +2 

50 50 0 

45 44 +1 

5 6 -1 

48 47 +1 

44 42 +2 

4 5 -1 

22 18 t4 

17 7 + 10 

8 13 -5 

1 na 

0 na 

1 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

64 
Total 

1990 

Change 

Total 1978 

FL CA KY LA MD MS NC OK - 1978 

-1990 SC TN TX VA WV - 

+ AL AR DE 

12 0 

1 

012 0 

2 8 -1 

*xx xxxxxxxx 

52433445 - * 

xx xx 

33 

X x* 3 2 52 32 

x x x x x ++* x x x x x x 

xx xxxx xx xxx 

X + xx+ xxxx 

xx+ xx +* 

X 

x+ -x x x+ 

X 

+ -- xx X x+ xx+ + + 

xxxx- xx xx 

X + 

xx xX X 

xxxxxxx xx- 

- xxx 

xxx 

- X 

X + 

xx*x 

xx X 

- - 

xx 

33 

*+ 

2 

+ 

t in general law for counties 7 

o\ 

ch 

and &sponSibilities 

On authorized by general law 

- * 

15 

9 

11 

12 

10 

3 

9 

6 

5 

6 

8 

0 

9 

9 

1 

0 

3 

0 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

0 

2 

1 

1 

0 

0 

1 

0 12 +3 

09 0 

1 9 +2 

0 9 +3 

2 9 +l 

0 0 +3 

1 7 +2 

1 7 -1 

0 3 +2 

2 7 -1 

18 0 

1 1 -1 

1 10 

-1 

0 8 +1 

X 

+ 

*+ 

X 

X 

X 

+ 

4- 

+ 

+ 

+ 

xx 

xx 

na 

0 2 2 

-2 

15 

14 

5 

8 

0 

0 15 0 

0 14 0 

2 4 +1 

1 9 -1 

2 2 -2 

xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

xxxxxxxxxxxxx - + 

xx xxxx - - - 

X + 

- + x 

xx 

X 

xx 

16 1 0 15 +1 xx xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

12 

12 

10 

8 

0 11 +1 

1 12 0 

1 7 +3 

0 5 +3 

2 10 +1 

11 0 

X xx xxxxxxx 

x

- xxxxxx x+ x 

X +++ xx x - + x+ -xxx 

x+ - x++ x x x+ X 

X 

+ - 

+x 

xx 

X 

X 

3 

1 

11 

1 xx 
Table C3 (cont.) 

Southern Region 

Change 

1978 

-1990 

Total 

1990 

Total 

AL AR 1978 

- 

X 

DE 

- 

FL GA KY LA MD MS NC OK SC TN Tx 

- 

X 

VA 

+ 

- 

wv + 

X 

- 

- 

0 

2 

1 

1 

1 

X xxxxxxxx 

+ - + x x x+ 

x+ X x- 

- 

+ + - x 

14 

0 

10 

4 

5 

13 

2 

7 

2 

5 

+1 

-2 

+3 

+2 

0 

2 Consolidation of cities authorized X 

a. Referendum and majority approval of only one city required - 

c No referendum required 

3. Consolidation of cities and counties authorized 

a. Referendum and majority approval of each city affected 

b. Referendum and majority appnwal of each city requmd + 

reauired 

X X X 

+ 

X 

1 

1 

- + 

x+ 

-- 

X X 

1 

4 

4 

0 

4 

3 

-3 

b. Referehum and majority approval of county required +1 

c Referendum and majority approval of unincorporated 

4. Interlocal service agreements authorized by general law 

C. Local Elections 

1. State law establishes date for local elections 

a. One date for cities and counties 

b. One date for cities only 

c One date for counties only 

2 State law sets candidate qualifications for local elections 

3. State law limits campaign expenditures of candidates 

for local office 

4. State law imposes campaign financing disclosure 

requirements on candidates for local office 

5. State law sets voter qualifications for local elections 

6. State law requires local governments to provide 

for absentee voting in local elections 

7. State law requires local governments to allow write-in 

votes in local elections 

8. State law establishes a procedure for recall of local 

elected officials 

a. Initiative and referendum authorized 

b. Some other method of recall provided 

9. State law establishes voter registration procedure 

a. One registration suffices for all elections 

b. Voter must register for local elections separately 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. State law requires that all local government meetings 

at which official action is taken be open to the public 

2. State law requires that local government records be open 

to public inspection at reasonable hours 

3. State law mandates a procedure for the adoption 

of municipal ordinances and/or resolutions 

a All proposed ordinances/resolutions must be in writing 

b. All proposed ordinanceslresolutions must be approved 

area of county required 

or by state constitution 

as to form and legality by city attorney 

0 0 2 2 -2 

X xxxxxxxxxx + X X 14 0 13 +1 

+ 

+ X xxxx+xxxx+ 

+xx - x - x 

X xx X X 

X X 

x x - - *xxxxx 

16 

10 

2 

6 

10 

3 

2 

0 

2 

13 

10 

na 

na 

15 

+3 

0 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 0 5 

2 

-5 

0 

X X 

2 

0 

0 

X x+ - + 4 4 

xxxxx*xx-xx 

xxxxxxxxxx 

X+XXXX*+XX 

15 

16 

15 

16 

16 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

1 

0 

-1 

0 

X X X X X X 2 0 13 +2 

X X X -xx-xxx xx X X 12 0 2 14 -2 

+ 

X 

x+ X 

xx X 

+ 

X 

5 

5 

0 

16 

15 

1 

3 0 2 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

+3 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

xxxxxxxxxx 

x x x x x XX* x x x 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

+ 

+ 

X 

- 

x x+ x x+ x+ x x X 15 4 0 11 +4 

X 

X 

+ 

X 

X x++ xx+++ x+ 16 8 0 8 +8 

X xx*x-+xx 

X +x X -- 11 4 

1 

4 

11 

7 

0 

-3 

0 0 0 0 
Table C3 (cont.) 

Southern Region 

Change 

1978 

-1990 

Total 

1990 

Total 

AL AR DE FT, GA KY LA MD MS NC OK sc TN TX VA WV + - 1978 

c All proposed ordinances/resolutions must relate 

to only one subject 

d. All proposed ordinanWresoIutions must receive at least 

two readings and be finally approved on a different 

day than the day introduced 

e. The final vote on all ordinances/resolutions must be 

4. State law mandates a procedure for the adoption of county 

ordinances and/or resolutions 

5. State law authorizes initiative and referendum on local 

ordinances and/or resolutions - 

6. State law requires codification of municipal ordinancakesolutions * 

7. State law requires codification of county ordinancesfresolutions 

8. Local eleded officials subject to a stateimposed Code of Ethics x 

remrded when SO requested by any member - 

X X xx + + 6 204 +2 

X X X - xx X 6 017 -1 

3 047 - xx x- - -4 

xxx - ++ x x+ X 9 317 +2 

X + x- * X*f* 

+xx + x- 

+ xx + + X X 

+ X + + - 

+ X + + X 

x x+ X * * 

* 

X 

124 

104 

214 

305 

413 

303 

-1 

+1 

+l 

+3 

+3 

+3 

a. Violators subject to fine 

b. Violators subject to removal from office 

+ 

X 

9. Sovereign immunity for local government torts has been 

waived by the state X 

10. Impeachment of local officials authorized X 

12 

4 

3 

1 

2 

3 

518 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

+ x+ x++ x+ x x x - * ** X X x* 

X X 

+4 

9 a. By state constitution 

b. By state law 

c Grounds enumerated 

d. procedure 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X X 

11. State law establishes procedure to fill vacancies in elected 

county offices X 15 

14 

2 

xxxxxxxxxxxxx X 

X xxxxxxxxxxx X 

X X 

na 

na 

na 

a By appointment 

b. By speciavgeneral election 

X 

12 State law establishes procedure to fill vacancies in elected 

city offices X 14 

11 

5 

X xxxx xxxxxxxx 

X xxxx xx xx X 

X xxx X 

na 

na 

na 

a By appointment 

b. By speciavgeneral election 

X 

13. State comtitution or statutory law authorizes state “takeover” 

14. State law requires partisan representation on local boards 

E. Financial Management 

of administration of local government 

and commissions 

1. Debt limits imposed on cities X 

a Limit expressed as a percentage of assessed property 

b. Limit expd in some other way 

a Limit expd as a percentage of assessed property 

b. Limit acpressed in some other way 

value or as a maximum millage rate amount X 

2 Debt limits imposed on counties X 

value or as a maximum millage rate amount X 

X 1 na 

0 na 

xx xxx+xxxx-+xx 14 2 1 13 +1 

0 

u 

2 

I2 

xx xxx xxxx xxx 

xx 

xx xx+xxxxx *x 

na 

na 

1 1 12 

xx xxxxxxxx 

xx 

X 12 

2 

na 

na 
Table C3 (cont.) 

Southern Region 

3. State law specifies the purposes for which local debt may 

be incurred 

4. State law requires a referendum for local bond issues 

a. Referendum required for all local bond issues 

b. Referendum required only for general obligation 

5. State law establishes a maximum bond life for local bonds 

a. Maximum life established for all local bonds 

b. Maximum life established only for general obligation 

6. State law establishes interest ceiling(s) for local government 

a. For all local bonds 

b. For general obligation bonds 

7. State law permits short-term borrowing by local units 

a. Prior state approval necessary 

b. Short-term debt must be repaid within fiscal year incurred 

bond issues 

bond issues 

bonds 

oI 8. Property tax limits imposed on cities 00 9. Property tax limits imposed on counties 

for local governments 

a. State law specifies budget form 

b. At least one public hearing required prior to budget adoption 

c. Additional procedural requirements for budget adoption 

10. State law establishes method of property tax assessment 

11. Cities required to adopt an annual operating budget 

in state law 

12. Counties required to adopt an annual operating budget 

a. State law specifies budget form 

b. At least one public hearing required prior to budget adoption 

c. Additional procedural requirements for budget adoption 

13. Local governments required to follow uniform amounting 

14. State law sets purchasing standards for local governments 

in state law 

procedures in state law or as established by state agency 

a. Competitive bidding on all purchases over a specified 

amount required 

b. Competitive bidding on all purchases of a designated 

type required 

c. Reference must be given to local or state 

businesses whenever possible 

d. The purchasing function required to be centralized 

in one person or office 

e. Cooperative purchasing by local units-either jointly or in 

conjunction with the state-authorized or provided for 

AL AR DE n GA KY LA MD MS NC OK SC TN TX VA 

xxx X X + - + x 

xx xxxx + x - * x x+ x 

X xxxx X X xx 

X X X 

xxx - x x x x x x xx+ x 

X X xx xxxxxxx 

X X 

*x X ++ x*x--+x 

X xx X X xx 

X 

x+ +x-x+x- + x - x 

- - - - X - 

xx-x-xx*xx- xx 

XXXX-XX*XX- x+ 

-xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

+x + x+ x x X - * +xx 

+ + x+ x x+ +x 

+ + x+ x+ +xx 

X xx X X X 

x - xx x+ x x -* xxx 

+x x+ x x+ - + x 

+x - + x+ +xx 

xx xx X X X 

-x X xxxxx++xxx 

xxx x x - * x +xxxx 

X X X + xxx 

- + 

X X - + 

X 

X X +x- 

+xx X - -- + 

wv 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

- * 

X 

X 

X 

+ 

X 

X 

Total 

1990 + - 

Change 

Total 1978 

1978 -1990 

9 21 

13 2 1 

10 

3 

14 1 1 

12 

2 

8 33 

I 

1 

10 4 3 

0 03 

102 

10 0 3 

11 1 2 

15 0 1 

11 4 1 

9 50 

9 50 

6 

10 1 2 

9 41 

8 41 

I 

13 3 1 

12 1 1 

8 10 

2 11 

3 11 

4 11 

5 23 

8 +1 

12 fl 

na 

na 

14 0 

na 

na 

80 

na 

na 

9 +1 

3 -3 

3 -2 

13 -3 

12 -1 

16 -1 

8 +3 

4 +5 

4 +5 

na 

11 -1 

6 +3 

5 +3 

na 

11 +2 

12 0 

7 +1 

20 

30 

40 

6 -1 
Table C3 (cant.) 

Southern Region 

Change 

Total Total 1978 

AL AR DE FL GA KY LA MD MS NC OK SC TN TX VA WV 1990 + - 1978 -1990 

15. State law requires cities to conduct an independent post-audit 

a. State law specifies audit content 

b. Audits must be filed with the state 

a. State law specifies audit content 

b. Audits must be filed with the state 

counties or for both 

prescribed by state law 

administration of city 

16. State law requires counties to conduct an independent pt-audit 

17. State law establishes a common fiscal year for cities or for 

18. The investment of idle funds by cities and counties 

19. State law authorizes state “takeover” of the financial 

a. Grounds 

b. Procedure 

20. State law authorizes state “takeover” of the financial 

administration of county 

a. Grounds 

b. Procedure ’ 21. State law provides for marketing of local bonds 

22. State law provides for maintenance of a “sinking fund” 

for local debt service 

a. Mandated 

b. Discretionary 

23. Property tax assessment 

a. State function 

b. Local function 

a. For cities 

b. For counties 

a. For cities 

b. For counties 

c. Enumerated conditions 

24. State constitution or statutory law mandates a balanced budget 

25. State law authorizes/mandates state audit of local accounts 

E PersonneI Management 

1. State law requires cities to adopt a merit system 

a. Requirement applies only to cities over a certain 

population, of a certain class, or of a specified 

form of government 

b. Requirement applies only to certain municipal employees 

c. Cities required to adopt a job classification 

and pay plan 

* xx x*+xxxxx+++ 12 408+4 

8 514+4 + +xxx - + 6 314+2 

x* + + x+ x+ - x+ 9 515+4 

+ X x+ 4 202+2 

+ X + - + 4 312+2 

+ X + x+ - X ++ 

x x x* x* X x x x x +* x* X* +* x 14 2 0 12 +2 

x- X*XX xxxxx x x 11 0 1 12 -1 

* X 

X 

X 

X 

x x’ x xx 

* 1 na 

1 na 

0 na 

1 na 

1 na 

0 na 

X X xx 9 na 

xxxxxxxxx xxx 13 

X X xxxx X X 8 

X xxx X 5 

xxxxxxxx~~~xx~xx 16 

X X 2 

xxxxxx 14 

xxxx X 5 

xxxx X 5 

xx X X 4 

X X*XXXXX X* X* 9 

X 

xxxxxxx X 

xx xx X 

X xxxx X X 

X X X 

X 6 

X 8 

3 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

+x* xx*xxx* x x -* x 10 1110 0 

X 

+ 

xx x - x x--- 6 0 4 10 -4 

-x --- 2 145 - 3 

+- xx - + - x x+ 7 337 0 
Table C3 (cont.) 

Southern Region 

Change 

1978 

-1990 

Total 

wv 1990 

Total 

AL AR DE FL GA KY LA MD MS NC OK SC TN TX VA + - 1978 

d. Cities required to provide for at least an annual 

evaluation of employee job performance 

e. Cities required to establish employee grievance 

procedure for municipal workers 

2. State law requires counties to adopt a merit system 

a. Requirement applies only to counties over a certain 

population or of a specified form of government 

b. Requirement applies only to certain county employees 

3. State law authorizes cities to engage in collective bargaining 

with public employee representatives 

a. Broad authority applies to all municipal employees 

b. limited authority applies to certain groups or classes 

c In the mnt of impasse, binding arbitration mandated 

4. State law authorizes counties to engage in collective 

bargaining with public employee representatives 

a. Broad authority applies to all county employees 

b. Limited authority applies to certain groups or classes 

c In the ewnt of impasse, binding arbitration mandated 

5. State law permits strikes by certain designated public 

employee groups 

6. State law requires that local governments actively 

and affirmatively seek out minority and women 

candidates for available local government positions 

7. State law requires that city employees reside in the city 

8. State law requires that oounty employees reside in the county 

9. State law imposes personnel training requirements 

on certain municipal employees 

a. Minimum training for City police required 

b. Minimum training for city fire fighters required 

c Minimum training for other city employees required 

10. State law imposes personnel training requirements 

on certain county employees 

a. Minimum training for county police required 

b. Minimum training for other county employees required 

11. State law requk Cities to establish a municipal retirement 

system or to participate in the state retirement system 

a. Requirement applies to all cities 

b. Requirement applies to all city employees 

12 State law requires all counties to establish a county 

retirement system or to participate in the state 

retirement system 

of municipal employees 

4 

0 of county employees 

X 1 na 

0 

-1 

1 

x6 

00 

23 

1 

7 

X 

- * x x+ * + X - - * 

5 

3 

-4 

+2 

1 

x5 

04 

20 X - - 

+ x x+ 

* +x +x *+ 

X 

6 

1 

40 

00 

2 

1 

+4 

0 

5 

4 

40 

40 

1 

0 

+4 

+4 

+ +x 

++ + 

+ 

+ 

* * 4 

1 

20 

00 

2 

1 

+2 

0 

+x X 

X 

3 

2 

20 

20 

1 

0 

+2 

+2 

+ X 

++ 

*** + ** * 1 10 0 +1 

1 

0 

0 

15 

15 

6 

3 

10 

00 

01 

40 

0 

0 

1 

+1 

0 

-1 

* 

* 

* 

+ * 

11 

11 

5 

4 

+4 

+4 

+1 

-1 

x+ 

x+ 

++ 

x x x++ x+ xx 

x x x++ x+ x x 

- x+ - 

-x 

xxx 

xxx 

xx 

xx 

X 

X 40 

32 

01 

12 

11 

4 

+4 

+4 

0 

x x x++ x+ xx 

xxx++x+xx 

-x 

x 16 

+ls 

x4 

40 

40 

11 

x+ 

X 

+ 

xxx 

xxx 

X 

X 

X 

*- + * + - * * x *+ * 

+ 

+ 

*5 

2 

3 

32 

20 

31 

4 

0 

1 

+1 

+2 

+2 

X 

* 

- + 

+ + 

x+ *+ x * + -* 6 32 5 - X +1 
Table C3 (cont.) 

Southern Region 

Change 

Total Total 1978 

AL AR DE FL GA KY LA MD MS NC OK SC TN TX VA wv 1990 + - 1978 -1990 

6 622+4 

0 000 0 

13. City employees covered by workers’ compensation XXXXXXXXXXxXXxxx 16 0016 0 

X - x 12 1213 -1 

X + 4 213+1 

+ - x 12 3211+1 

X + 4 224 0 

XI0 307+3 

x 9 so4+s 

x 4 235 - 1 

0 na 

a. Equal pay for equal work *o na 

b. Comparable worth 0 na 

17. State law authorizes specific benefits for local government workers ** 0 na 

a. Health insurance *o na 

b. Family leave 0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

c. Daycare 

d. Other 

a. Requirement applies to all county employees - ++ ++ + +-* 

b. Requirement applies only to police and/or fire department 

personnel 

a. Coverage mandated by + x - xxxxx xxx state law 

b. Coverage optional for each city - + X 

b. Coverage optional for each county - - + X 

15. State law prohibits political activity by city or county employees X X xx+ x++ x* 

a. Prohibition general and applies to all cities and counties + X x++ x + + 

of employees x- ++ 

14. County employees covered by workers’ compensation XXXXXXXXXXXXX+xx 16 1015 +1 

+ + - xxxxx xxx a. Coverage mandated by state law 

b. Prohibition applies only to certain types or classes - - 

16. State law mandates that local government adopt pay plans 

* * 

2 * 

* 

* 

* 
Table C4 

Western Region 

Key 

X applicable law in effect in 1990 and 1978 surveys (if question was asked in 1978) 

+ applicable law enacted after 1978 survey - applicable law in effect at time of 1978 survey repealed or otherwise rendered inapplicable before 1990 

* see note in citation section 

na question not asked 

Change 

Total Total 1978- 

AK A2 CA CO HI ID MT NV NM OR UT WA WY 1990 + - 1978 1990 

A. Form of Government 

1. Optional forms of government in general law for cities 

(number of forms authorized) 

2. Optional forms of government in general law for counties 

(number of forms authorized) 

3. Home rule authority granted cities 

a. By state constitution 

b. By general law 

c. Structural home rule 

d. Broad functional home rule 

e. Limited functional home rule 

4. Home rule authority granted counties 

h, a. By state constitution 

b. By general law 

c Structural home rule 

d. Broad functional home rule 

e. Limited functional home rule 

5. Classes of cities provided for 

a. Determined by population 

b. Determined by area 

c Determined in some other way 

6. Limits imposed on incorporation of new local government units 

a. Minimum population required 

b. Minimum area required 

c. Minimum distance from existing units required 

d. Minimum ad valorem tax base required 

4 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. Municipal annexation authorized by general law 

a. Initiated by a petition of property owners in area to be annexedb. Initiated by city ordinance or resolution 

c Public hearing required 

d. Referendum and majority approval in city required 

e. Referendum and majority approval (or majority written consent) 

Approval of county governing authority required 

percentage of property owners required 

in area to be annexed required 

1110 0 

** xx - x* 3 014 - 1 

xxxxx+xxxxxxx 13 1 0 12 +1 

xxxxx X xxxxx 11 0011 0 

+ xx+ ++ x x - x 9 416+3 

xxxx x - xxxxx 10 0111 -1 

xxx x+ + + + 8 404+4 

X X + - x - x - 5 137 - 2 

xxxxx+xxxxxx 12 1 0 11 +1 

x - + xx X 8 129 - 1 

xxx+++x xx 9 306+3 

-xxx X x-- X 6 039 - 3 

- x+ +x +- + 6 424+2 

x+ -x X +x 6 215+1 

x+ xx* xx xxx 9 108+1 

*+ x* xxxxx-*xxx 10 

343 2342 332 

42 3 

x x - x 

x+ - - xx xxx 7 128 -1 

++ 2 200+2 

x+ xx xxxxxxxx 12 1 0 11 +1 

x+ + + +xxxxxxx 12 408+4 

+ +x x 4 202+2 

X x- - X 3 025 - 2 

++ + 3 300+3 

0 na 

X'XXX 

+ x - x 

+ 

+ X 

X - + 

++ 

xxxxxxxx 12 0012 0 

xxxxxxx 10 1110 0 

xx+xx++x 9 405+4 

xxxx xx 8 107+1 

+ X 2 101+1 

- -- X 3 146 - 3 

+ - + +x 6 5124-4 
Tuble c4 (cont.) 

Western Region 

Change 

Total 1978- 

- 1978 1990 

Total 

AK AZ CA CO HI ID MT NV NM OR UT WA WY 1990 + 

10 

1 

8 

1 

6 

3 

3 

0 

11 

0 10 0 

1 2 -1 

18 0 

0 0 +1 

1 7 -1 

2 5 -2 

1 4 -1 

1 1 -1 

0 10 +1 

2. Consolidation of cities authorized 

a. Referendum and majority approval of only one city required 

b. Referendum and majority approval of each city required 

c No referendum required 

3. Consolidation of cities and counties authorized 

a. Referendum and majority approval of each city affected required 

b. Referendum and majority approval of county required 

G Referendum and majority approval of unincorporated area of mnty required 

4. Interlocal service agreements authonzed by general law or by state constitution 

xxxx X xxxxx 

- 

+ x - x 

+ 

X 

xxxxx 

x- X xxxx 

X x x* - +X X X 

- 

x+ xx xxxxxxx 

C. 

1. 

mcal Elections 

State law establishes election dates for local elections 

a. One date for cities and counties 

b. One date for cities only 

G One date for counties only 

State law sets candidate qualifications for local elections 

State law limits campaign expenditures of candidates for local office 

State law imposes campaign financing disclosure requirements on candidates 

State law sets voter qualifications for local elections 

State law requires local governments to provide for absentee voting in local elections 

State law requires local governments to allow write-in votes in local elections 

State law establishes a procedure for recall of local elected officials 

a. Initiative and referendum authorized 

b. Some other method of recall provlded 

State law establishes voter registration procedure 

a. One registration suffices for all elections 

b. Voter must register for local elections separately 

for local office 

12 

8 

4 

3 

12 

3 

1 

0 

0 11 +1 

2 10 -2 

na 

na 

1 12 0 

3 4 -1 

xx+ x xxxxxxxx 

xx xx-xxxxxx X X 

X X X 

xx xx - xx xx+ xxx 

- xx - x1 

2 

2. 

3. 

4. 

xxxxxxxx X+X* x 

xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

xxxx xx +xxxx 

xxxx xxx X xxxxx xxx X X 

12 

13 

13 

11 

9 

9 

0 

13 

11 

2 

0 11 +1 

0 13 0 

0 13 0 

0 10 +1 

1 10 -1 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

4 

w 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

X xxxxx xxxxx 

X X 

9. 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. State law requires that all local government meetings at which official action is taken 

be open to the public 

2. State law requires that local government records be open to public ins-on 

at reasonable hours 

3. State law mandates a procedure for adoption of municipal ordinances 

and/or resolutions 

a. All proposed ordinances/resolutions must be in writing 

b. All proposed ordinances/resolutions must be approved as to form and legality 

by city attorney 

c. All proposed ordinances/resoluUonS must relate to only one subject 

d. All proposed ordinances/resolutiOnS must receive at least two readings 

and be finally approved on a dlfferent day than the day introduced 

e. The final vote on all ordinandresolutions must be recorded when so requested 

by any member 

xxxxx++xxxxxx 13 2 

2 

0 11 +2 

1 9 +1 

0 9 +2 

17 0 

00 0 

0 2 +3 

- xxxx+xxxx + 10 

X xx x+ x x+ x x x 

X - + xx xxx 

11 

7 

0 

++ x +x 5 

X x+ - X 4 1 14 0 

X X -x - - + 4 2 3 5 -1 
Table C4 (cont.) 

Western Region 

AK A2 CA CO HI ID MT NV NM OR UT WA WY 

Total 

1990 

Total 

+ - 1978 

4. State law mandates a procedure for the adoption of county ordinances 

5. State law authorizes initiative and referendum on local ordinances 

6. State law requires codification of municipal ordinancedresolutions 

7. State law requires codification of county ordinancedresolutions 

8. Local elected officials subject to a state-imposed Code of Ethics 

a. Violators subject to fine 

b. Violators subject to removal from office 

9. Sovereign immunity for local government torts has been waived by the state 

10. Impeachment of local officials authorized 

a. By state constitution 

b. By state law 

c Grounds enumerated 

d. Procedure 

a. By appointment 

b. By speciaygeneral election 

a. By appointment 

b. By speciaygeneral election 

and/or resolutions 

and/or resolutions 

11. State law establishes procedure to fill vacancies in elected county offices 

4 

12. State law establishes procedure to fill vacancies in elected city offices 

13. State constitution or statutory law authorizes state ''takemer'' of administration 

14. State law requires partisan representation on local boards and commissions 

of local government 

E. Financial Management 

1. Debt limits imposed on cities 

a. Limit expressed as a percentage of assessed property value or as a 

maximum millage rate amount 

b. Limit expressed in some other way 

2. Debt limits imposed on counties 

a. Limit expressed as a percentage of assessed property value or as a 

maximum millage rate amount 

b. Limit expressed in some other way 

3. State law specifies purposes for which local debt may be incurred 

4. State law requires a referendum for local bond issues 

a. Referendum required for all local bond issues 

b. Referendum required only for general obligation bond issues 

5. State law establishes a maximum bond life for local bonds 

a. Maximum life established for all local bonds 

b. Maximum life established only for general obligation bond issues 

X ++xxxx 

++ x+ ++ x x x++ X ++ **- 

X + xxx 

xxx 

xxx 

-+++ *x 

- + - - 

x*xx+x xxxx 

* ** * 

xxx xxxxxxxx 

xxx xxxxxxxx 

X 

X 

xx xx*xxxxx 

X xx xxxxx 

X 

X 

xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

xx X xxxxxxx 

X X X X 

xxxxx+xxxxx+x 

xx X xxx xxx 

X X X X 

X x - xxxxx x+ x 

xxxx xxxxxx+x 

xxx xxx X X 

X* X X X* 

xxx 

xxx 

xxxxxxx - 

xxxxxxx 

7 

11 

3 

2 

7 

4 

3 

9 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

11 

11 

0 

10 

9 

1 

0 

1 

13 

10 

4 

13 

9 

4 

10 

12 

8 

4 

10 

10 

0 

205 

704 

212 

101 

315 

125 

014 

108 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

0 0 13 

na 

na 

2 0 11 

na 

na 

1 1 10 

1 0 11 

na 

na 

0 1 11 

na 

na 

Change 

1978- 

1990 

+2 

+7 

+1 

+1 

+2 

-1 

-1 

+1 

0 

+2 

0 

+1 

-1 
Table C4 (cont.) 

Western Region 

Change 

Total Totll 1978- 

AK AZ CA CO HI ID MT NV NM OR UT WA WY 1990 + - 1978 1990 

~ 

6. State law establishes interest ceiling(s) for local government bonds 

a. For all local bonds 

b. For general obligation bonds 

7. State law permits short-term borrowing by local units 

a. Prior state approval necessary 

b. Short-term debt must be repaid within fiscal year incurred 

8. Property tax limits imposed on cities 

9. Property tax limits imposed on counties 

10. State law establishes method of property tax asSeSSment for local governments 

11. Cities required to adopt an annual operating budget 

a State law specifies budget form 

b. At lea one public hearing required prior to budget adoption 

c Additional procedural requirements for budget adoption in state law 

a. State law specifies budget form 

b. At least one public hearing required prior to budget adoption 

c Additional procedural requirements for budget adoption in state law 

13. Local governments required to follow uniform accounting procedures 

14. State law sets purchasing standards for local governments 

12 Counties required to adopt an annual operating budget 

2 

in state law or as established by state agency 

a. Competitive bidding on all purchases over a spec164 amount required 

b. Competitive bidding on all purchases of a designated type required 

c Preference must be given to local or state businesses whenever possible 

d. The purchasing function required to be centralized in one person or oflice 

e. Cooperative purchasing by local units-either jointly or in conjunction 

with the state-is authorized or provided for 

15. State law requires cities to conduct an independent post-audit 

a. State law specifies audit content 

b. Audits must be filed with the state 

a State law specifies audit content 

b. Audits must be filed with the state 

16. State law requires counties to conduct an independent post-audit 

17. State law establishes a common fiscal year for cities or for counties or for both 

18. The investment of idle funds by cities and counties prescribed by state law 

19. State law authorizes state "takeover" of the financial administration of city 

a. Grounds 

b. Prdure 

a. Grounds 

b. Procedure 

20. State law authorizes state "takeover" of the financial administration of county 

21. State law provides for marketing of local bonds 

X x - xxx - 5 027-2 

X X xxx 5 na 

0 na 

x+ x+++ x x - x x+ 11 5 1 7 +4 

X 

+++ 

1001 0 

3 300+3 

x+ xx +xxxxxxx 12 2010+2 - + xx +xxxx-xx 10 2210 0 

xx xxxxxxxxxx 12 0012 0 

xx+ x x x x+ x XX'X 12 2 0 10 +2 

X X +xx x x x+ 9 207+2 

xx + xxx+xxxx 11 109+2 

X X xx xxxx 8 na 

xxxxxxx+xxxx 12 1011+1 

xxx xxx x x - + 9 119 0 

xx xxx+xxxx 10 109+1 

xxx xx xx x8 na 

xx x+ x - + x+ x 9 3 17 +2 

xxxxxxxxxxx 11 0011 0 

-xxxxx x 6 017 - 1 

x+ - x 3 113 0 

+ - + - xx - 4 235 - 1 

X X - 2 013 - 1 

+++ x+ x- 6 413+3 

XX*X x+ x+ x xx*+ 11 3 0 8 +3 

+ X xi xx + 7 315+2 X X X x+ xx + 8 206+2 

x x * x - x+ x+ x x - *+ 10 3 2 9 +1 

X X - x+ xx + 7 216+1 

X X X x+ xx + 8 206+2 

+ x x x x x x xx*x*+ x 12 2 0 10 +2 

xx+xxxxxxxx 11 1 0 10 +1 

- 

X 1 na 

0 na 

0 na 

X 1 na 

0 na 

0 na 

X X X X 4 na 
Table C4 (cont.) 

Western Region 

Total 

AK AZ CA 0 HI ID MT NV NM OR UT WA WY 1990 - 

22. State law provides for maintenance of a "sinking fund" for local debt sewiw xx xxxx xxxx 10 

xx xxx xx 7 b. Discretionary X X x3 

23. Property tax assessment x x xx x XX* XX* xx* x x 

a. State function X 1 

b. Local function XXXX x x xxxxx 12 

24. State constitution or statutory law mandates a balanced budget x' x X X 4 

b. Forcounties xx X X 4 

25. State law authorizes/mandates state audit of local accounts x xx XX"X*X* x x x 10 

a. For cities x xx x x x x x x x 10 

b. Forcounties xxx x x x x x x x 10 

xx 3 

1. State law requires cities to adopt a merit system ** *+x*-x x4 

of a certain class, or of a specified form of government + X x3 

b. Requirement applies Only to certain municipal employees - + x2 -x - 2 

job performance 0 

e. Cities required to establish an employee grievance procedure for municipal workers - -- -0 

2. State law requires counties to adopt a merit system *x* X X + 5 

X + 3 

b. Requirement applies only to certain county employees X + 2 

a. Mandated 

X X 3 X a. For cities 

X c Enumerated conditions 

F. Personnel Management 

* 

a. Requirement applies Only to cities over a certain population, 

c Cities required to adopt a job classification and pay plan 

d. Cities required to provide for at least an annual evaluation of employee 

4 

m 

+ 

X 

a. Requirement applies only to counties over a certain population or 

X of a specified form of government 

3. State law authorizes cities to engage in collective bargaining with public 

a. Broad authority applies to all municipal employees 

b. Limited authority applies to certain groups or classes of municipal employees 

4. State law authorizes counties to engage in collective bargaining 

with public employee representatives 

a. Broad authority applies to all county employees 

employee representatives X X +x+x-xxxx 10 

X X 7 

- X x3 

c In the event of impasse, binding arbitration mandated - X xx x4 

xxxx 10 X X xxf x 

x-x 7 X X X +x 

b. Limited authority applies to certain groups or classes of county employees X + x3 

c. In the event of impasse, binding arbitration mandated - - X xx x4 

- +* X 3 

7. State law requires that city employees reside in the city - 0 

8. State law requires that county employees reside in the county - 0 

X X + +x 

X 

X 5. State law permits strikes by certain designated public employee groups 

6. State law requires that local governments actively and affirmatively seek out 

minority and women candidates for amilable local government positions 8 0 * 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

114 0 

102+1 

112 0 

123 -1 

na 

044 -4 

104+1 

109+1 

117 0 

102+1 

026 -2 

113 0 

000 0 

011-1 

011 - 1 
Table C4 (cont.) 

Western Region 

AK AZ CA CO HI ID MT NV NM OR UT WA WY 

Total 

1990 + - 

Change 

Total 1978- 

1978 1990 

9. State law imposes personnel training requirements on certain municipal employees + ++ 

a. Minimum training for city police required + ++ 

b. Minimum training for city fire fighters required 

c. Minimum training for other city employees required 

10. State law imposes personnel training requirements on certain county employees + ++ 

a. Minimum training for county police required 

b. Minimum training for other county employees required 

to participate in the state retirement system 

a. Requirement applies to all cities 

b. Requirement applies to all city employees 

to participate in the state retirement system 

a. Requirement applies to all county employees 

b. Requirement applies only to police and/or fire department personnel 

a. Coverage mandated by state law 

b. Coverage optional on the part of each city 

14. County employees covered by workers’ compensation 

a. Coverage mandated by state law 

b. Coverage optional on the part of each county 

a. Prohibition general and applies to all cities and counties 

b. Prohibition applies only to certain types or classes of employees 

11. State law requires cities to establish a municipal retirement System or 

12. State law requires all counties to establish a county retirement system or 

13. City employees covered by workers’ compensation 

3 

15. State law prohibits political activity by city or county employees 

+ ++ 

* - xx 

+x 

xx 

+ 

x- 

-* 

xxxxx 

xxxxx 

xxxxx 

xxxxx 

X + X + 

16. State law mandates that local government adopt pay plans X 

a. Equal pay for equal work 

b. Comparable worth 

a. Health insurance 

b. Family leave 

c. Day care 

d. Other 

17. State law authorizes specific benefits for local government workers 

X 

++ 

++ 

+ 

++ 

++ 

+ 

+ 

xx 

xx 

xx 

xx 

+ 

+ 

xxxx+x 

xxxx+x 

X 

x- - 

xxxx+x 

xxxx+x 

x-xX -+x* x 

X - + + 

+ 

X - + xx 

X - 

+xx 

xxxxxx 

xxxxxx 

xxxxxx 

xxxxxx 

-x X 

+ - -x 

11 

11 

2 

1 

11 

11 

2 

7 

6 

1 

6 

2 

4 

13 

13 

0 

13 

13 

0 

5 

4 

1 

1 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

60 

60 

10 

02 

60 

60 

02 

22 

41 

10 

12 

11 

11 

00 

00 

00 

00 

00 

00 

21 

30 

02 

5 +6 

5 +6 

1 +I 

3 -2 

5 +6 

5 +6 

4 -2 

70 

3 +3 

0 +1 

7 -1 

20 

40 

13 0 

13 0 

00 

13 0 

13 0 

00 

4 +1 

1 +3 

3 -2 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 
Table C5 

North-Central Region 

Key 

X applicable law in effect in 1990 and 1978 surveys (if question was asked in 1978) 

+ applicable law enacted after 1978 survey 

- applicable law in effect at time of 1978 survey repealed or othenvise rendered inapplicable before 1990 * see note in citation section 

na question not asked 

Total 

IL IN IA KS MI MN MO NE ND OH SD W 1990 + 

Change 

Total 1978- 

1978 1990 

A. Form of Government 

1. Optional forms of government are set forth in general law for cities 

(number of forms authorized) 

2. Optional forms of government are set forth in general law for counties 

(number of forms authorized) 

3. Home rule authority granted cities 

a. By state constitution 

b. By general law 

c Structural home rule 

d. Broad functional home rule 

e. Limited functional home rule 

4. Home rule authority granted counties 

a. By state constitution 

b. By general law 

c Structural home rule 

d. Broad functional home rule 

e. Limited functional home rule 

5. Classes of cities are provided for 

a. Determined by population 

b. Determined by area 

c Determined in some other way 

6. Limits imposed on incorporation of new local government units 

a. Minimum population required 

b. Minimum area required 

c Minimum distance from existing units required 

d. Minimum ad valorem tax base required 

2 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. Municipal annexation authorized by general law 

a. Initiated by a petition of property owners in area to be annexedb. Initiated by city ordinance or resolution 

c Public hearing required 

d. Referendum and majority approval in city required 

e. Referendum and majority approval (or majority written consent) in area 

f. Approval of county governing authority required 

percentage of property owners required 

to be annexed required 

X xx xxxxxx 9 0 0 9 0 

* 7 106+1 

2 63 

xxx *+ x xx 

227 62 32 

x+xxxxxxxxxx 12 1 0 11 +I 

X xxxxxxxxxx 11 0 0 11 0 

+ xf xx +x + 8 404+4 

xxxx 10 0 010 0 

206+2 

x+ -x - 3 124 - 1 

x++ xx+ x +xxx 11 407+4 

X + x+ x xx 7 205+2 

++x-+ +x x 7 414+3 

X - x+ x +xxx 8 217+1 

+ X + x+ 5 302+3 

x+ x x+ X - 6 215+1 

X xxxxx xxx 9 0 0 9 0 

X xxxxx xxx 9 0 0 9 0 

0 na 

0 000 0 

x xx*xx* x x x x x x x 12 0 0 12 0 

X x x+ x+ xx+ 9 306+3 

++ x+ + X + 7 502+5 

xx x x+ 5 104+1 

- + X x3 113 0 

335333 

X xxxxx 

x+ xx x x x+ 8 

xxxxxxxxxxxx 12 0 012 0 

xxx - xx xxxx 9 0 110 -1 

xx x+ xxx+ - ++ 10 4 17 +3 

X xxx + x+ 7 205+2 X - X ++ 4 213+1 

x xx - - 3 025 - 2 

+ -++' x + 4 312+2 . 
Table C5 (cont.) 

North- Central Region 

Change 

Total 1978- 

- 1978 1990 

Total 

1990 IL IN IA KS MI MNMO NE ND OH SD WI 

- 

+ 

1 

1 

4 

0 

1 

2 Consolidation of cities authorized 

a. Referendum and majority approval of only one city required 

b. Referendum and majority approval of each city required 

c No referendum required 

3. Consolidation of cities and counties authorized 

a. Referendum and majority approval of each city affected required 

b. Referendum and majority approval of county required 

c. Referendum and majority approval of unincorporated area of county required 

4. Interlocal service agreements authorized by general law or by state constitution 

xx xxxxx+xxx 

x+ + xx+ x+ x - x 

-x X +- 

- + 

- - 

X + 

+ - 

xx xx xx xxx 

11 

1 

10 

0 

3 

0 10 +1 

11 0 

1 7 +3 

2 2 -2 

2 4 -1 

0 1 +1 

1 1 -1 

0 0 +l 

09 0 

2 

0 

1 

0 

1 

9 

1 

0 

C. 

1. 

Local Elections 

State law establishes election dates for local elections 

a. One date for cities and counties 

b. One date for cities Only 

c. One date for counties only 

State law sets candidate qualifications for local elections 

State law limits campaign expenditures of candidates for local office 

State law imposes campah financing disclosure requirements on candidates for local office 

State law sets voter qualifications for local elections 

State law requires local governments to provide for absentee voting 

State law requires local governments to allow write-in votes in local elections 

State law establishes a procedure for recall of local elected officials 

a. Initiative and referendum authorized 

b. Some other method of recall provided 

State law establishes voter registration procedure 

a. One registration suffices for all elections 

b. Voter must register for local elections separately 

in local elections 

xxxxxxx+xxxx 

-++---- 

xx X xxxx 

xxxx 

x x x x xx - - x x x 

+ -- - x x x+ x+ x x x x - * x 

xxxxxxxxxxxx 

xx -- 

xx X 

12 

4 

7 

7 

9 

1 

11 

12 

12 

0 

8 

8 

0 

12 

10 

2 

0 11 +1 

7 9 -5 

na 

na 

2 11 -2 

3 3 -2 

1 10 +1 

0 12 0 

0 11 +1 

11 -1 

07 1 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

1 

2 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

0 

1 

2 

0 

x x xxx+xx x x x x 

x - x x x xx x x x x10 

xx +xxxxx 

xx xxxxxx 

1 

1 

1 

7. 

8. 

x x xxxxxx x x x x 

x x xxxxxx 

X* X 

xx 

9. 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. State law requires that all local government meetings at which official action is 

2. State law requires that local government records be open to public inspection 

taken be open to the public xxxxxxxx+xxx 0 11 +1 

0 7 +4 

1 7 +1 

11 0 

1 1 -1 

1 5 -1 

12 1 

at reasonable hours 

3. State law mandata a procedure for the adoption of municipal ordinances andlor resolutions 

xxx+ x xx+ x++ 

x x x++ -xxx 

- + 

11 

8 

1 

4 

2 

1 a. All proposed ordinanceslresolutions must be in writing 

b. All proposed ordinances/resolutions must be approved as to form and legality 

by city attorney 

c All proposed ordinanceshesolutions must relate to only one subject 

d. All proposed ordinanceshesolutions must receive at least two readings 

and be finally approved on a different day than the day introduced 

e. The final vote on all ordinances/resolutions must be recorded when so 

requested by any member 

0 

4 

0 

0 

- 

xx - xx 

x - x -xxx 5 0 

+x -xxx 5 1 15 0 
Table C5 (cont.) 

North-Central Region 

IL IN IA Ks MI MN MO NE ND OH SD WI 

Total 

1990 

Total Change 1978- 

+ - 1978 1990 

4. State law mandates a procedure for the adoption of county ordinances 

5. State law authorizes initiative and referendum on local ordinances and/or resolutions 

6. State law requires codification of municipal ordinances/resolutions 

7. State law requires codification of county ordinances/resolutions 

8. Local elected officials subject to a state-imposed Code of Ethics 

a. Violators subject to fine 

b. Violators subject to removal from office 

9. Sovereign immunity for local government torts has been waived by the state 

10. Impeachment of local officials authorized 

a. By state constitution 

b. By state law 

c. Grounds enumerated 

d. Procedure 

and/or resolutions 

11. State law establishes procedure to fill vacancies in elected county offices 

a. By appointment 

b. By special/general election 

a. By appointment 

b. By speciavgeneral election 

12. State law establishes procedure to fill vacancies in elected city offices 

13. State constitution or statutory law authorizes state "takeover" of administration 

14. State law requires partisan representation on local boards and commissions 

of local government 

E. Financial Management 

1. Debt limits imposed on cities 

a. firnit expressed as a percentage of assessed property value or as a maximum 

b. Limit expressed in some other way 

2. Debt limits imposed on counties 

a. Limit expressed as a percentage of assessed property value or as a maximum 

b. Limit expressed in some other way 

3. State law specifies purposes for which local debt may be incurred 

4. State law requires a referendum for local bond issues 

a. Referendum required for all local bond issues 

b. Referendum required only for general obligation bond issues 

5. State law establishes a maximum bond life for local bonds 

a. Maximum life established for all local bonds 

b. Maximum life established only for general obligation bond issues 

millage rate amount 

millage rate amount 

+ + xx 

+ x+ +++xx+ 

+x 

+ 

X + -x- 

+ 

X + 

+xxx -xxxxxx 

xxxx xxxxx 

xxx xxxxx 

X 

X xxxxxxxxxx 

X xx xxxxxxx 

* X* 

4 

9 

2 

1 

3 

1 

2 

10 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

9 

8 

1 

11 

10 

0 

0 

1 

202+2 

603+6 

101+1 

100+1 

124 - 1 

122 - 1 

123 - 1 

1110 0 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

xxxxxxx+xxxx 12 1 0 11 +1 

xxxxxxxxxxxx 12 na 

0 na 

xxxxxxx - xxxx 11 0 112 -1 

xxxxxxx xxxx 11 na 

0 na 

xx +x x5 104+1 

X -xxx+xxxx+ 10 2 19+1 

X xx X xxx 7 na 

X X X 3 na 

xxxxxxxxxx100 0 10 0 

xx xxxx xxx 9 na X 1 na 
Table C5 (cont.) 

North-Central Region 

IL IN IA 

Total 

KS MI MN MO NE ND OH SD WI 1990 

Total 

+ - 1978 

6. State law establishes interest ceiling(s) for local government bonds 

a. For all local bonds 

b. For general obligation bonds 

7. State law permits short-term borrowing by local units 

a. Prior state approval necessary 

b. Short-term debt must be repaid within fiscal year incurred 

8. Property tax limits imposed on cities 

9. Property tax limits imposed on counties 

10. State law establishes method of property tax assessment for local governments 

11. Cities required to adopt an annual operating budget 

a. State law specifies budget form 

b. At least one public hearing required prior to budget adoption 

c. Additional procedural requirements for budget adoption in state law 

+-x 

X 

X 

xx 

xxxx 

xxx 

xxx 

+xx 

+x 

++ x 

X X 

12. Counties required to adopt an annual operating budget +xx 

a. State law specifies budget form 

b. At least one public hearing required prior to budget adoption 

c. Additional procedural requirements for budget adoption in state law 

in state law or as established by state agency 

a. Competitive bidding on all purchases over a specified amount required 

b. Competitive bidding on all purchases of a designated type required 

c. Preference must be given to local or state businesses whenever possible 

d. The purchasing function required to be centraljzed in one person or office 

e. Cooperative purchasing by local units-either jointly or in conjunction 

oo 

c.L 13. Local governments required to follow uniform accounting procedures 

14. State law sets purchasing standards for local governments 

with the state-is authorized or provided for 

++ x 

+x 

X X 

+ X 

x++ 

x+ 

x+ 

+ 

15. State law requires cities to conduct an independent post-audit X - 

a. State law specifies audit content 

b. Audits must be filed with the state 

16. State law requires counties to conduct an independent post-audit X 

a. State law specifies audit content 

b. Audits must be filed with the state 

- 

X 

17. State law establishes a common fiszal year for cities or for counties or for both X X 

18. The investment of idle funds by cities and counties prescribed by state law 

19. State law authorizes state “takeover” of the financial administration of city 

- 

a. Grounds 

b. Procedure 

20. State law authorizes state “take over” of the financial administration of county 

a. Grounds 

b. Procedure 

x x - x +xx 8 

xx X xx 6 

X 2 

X +x+x 7 

0 - 1 

xxxxxxxx - 11 

xx xxxxx - 10 

xxxxxxxxx 12 

x+ xxxxx+ 11 

x+ x-xxx+ 9 

x+ xxx++ 10 

xx xxxxx 9 

x+ xxxxxx 11 

x+ x - x - x+ 9 

x+ xxx-x+ 9 

xx X X 6 

6 - x+++x*+ 9 

- + - + 4 

0 

+ + + 3 - - ++ + 5 

xxx X -- 

- 

1 

x x *+ x+ x+ * 8 

X 1 

xx +x + 6 

x+ *+++ x+ * 8 

+ + 2 

x+ ++ ++ 7 

+ x++ xx+ 9 

xx- x+xxx 7 X 1 

0 

0 

X 1 

0 

0 

-- 

- 

* 

* 

~~ 

228 

na 

na 

205 

000 

023 

0 1 12 

0 1 11 

0 0 12 

308 

317 

505 

na 

209 

427 

317 

na 

127 

614 

323 

011 

300 

423 

100 

316 

045 

215 

503 

222 

502 

405 

128 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

Change 

1978. 

I990 

0 

- 

+2 

0 

-2 

-1 

-1 

0 

+3 

+2 

+5 

+2 

+2 

+2 

-1 

$5 

+1 

-1 

+3 

+2 

+I 

+2 

-4 

+l 

+5 

0 

+5 

+4 

-1 
Table C5 (cont.) 

North-Central Region 

Change 

1978- 

1990 

Total 

1990 

Total 

IL IN IA KS MI MN MO NE ND OH SD WI +- 1978 

21. State law provides for marketing of local bonds 

22. State law provides for maintenance of a “sinking fund” for local debt service 

a. Mandated 

b. Discretionary 

a. State function 

b. Local function 

a. For cities 

b. For counties 

a. For cities 

b. For counties 

c. Enumerated conditions 

23. Property tax assessment 

24. State constitution or statutory law mandates a balanced budget 

25. State law authorizes/mandates state audit of local accounts 

xx X X X 

X xxxxxxxxxx 

X xxxxxxxxxx 

5 

11 

11 

0 

12 

1 

11 

2 

2 

1 

8 

8 

8 

4 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

xxxxxxxxxxxx 

X 

xxxxxxxxx xx 

X X 

X X 

X 

X X XX* x x x x 

X X xxxxxx 

X X xxxxxx 

X x* x x 

F. Personnel Management 

1. State law requires cities to adopt a merit system 

a. Requirement applies only to cities over a certain population, of a certain class, 

b. Requirement applies only to certain municipal employees 

c. Cities required to adopt a job classification and pay plan 

d. Cities required to provide for at least an annual evaluation of employee job performance 

e. Cities required to establish an employee grievance procedure for municipal workers 

2. State law requires counties to adopt a merit system 

a. Requirement applies only to counties over a certain population or 

ti Requirement applies only to certain county employees 

3. State law authorizes cities to engage in collective bargaining with public employee 

representatives 

a. Broad authority applies to all municipal employees 

b. Limited authority applies to certain groups or classes of municipal employees 

c In the event of impasse, binding arbitration mandated 

4. State law authorizes counties to engage in collective bargaining with public employee 

a. Broad authority applies to all county employees 

b. Limited authority applies to certain groups or classes of county employees 

c In the event of impasse, binding arbitration mandated 

5. State law permits strikes by certain designated public employee groups 

6. State law requires that local governments actively and affirmatively seek out 

minority and women candidates for available local government positions 

7. State law requires that city employees reside in the city 

or of a specified form of government 

of a specified form of government 

representatives 

xxx -* x x+ x X 8 11 8 0 

xx -x + X 

xxx - + x + 

+- - 4- 

11 

21 

22 

00 

20 

na 

5 

5 

2 

0 

+l 

0 

0 

4 

0 

x++ X X X +2 

X + 

+ + X 

X 

5 

2 

20 

10 

3 

1 

+2 

+1 X 

+ - xxx 

+ - xxx 

21 

21 

00 

00 

+1 

+1 

0 

0 

xt 

+ 

X 

xx 

xx 

21 

11 

10 

01 

00 

+ - xxx 

+ - xxx 

+x 

X 

+ - 

xx 

xx 

+1 

0 

+1 

-1 

0 

0 

0 

00 

00 

0 

0 

0 

0 
Table C5 (cont.) 

North-Central Region 

IL IN IA KS MI MN MO NE ND OH SD WI 

Total 

1990 

Change 

Total 1978- 

+ - 1978 1990 

8. State law requires that county employees reside in the county 

9. State law imposes personnel training requirements on certain municipal employees 

a. Minimum training for city police required 

b. Minimum training for city fire fighters required 

c Minimum training for other city employees required 

a. Minimum training for county police required 

b. Minimum training for other county employees required 

in the state retirement system 

a. Requirement applies to all cities 

b. Requirement applies to all city employees 

to participate in the state retirement system 

a. Requirement applies to all county employees 

b. Requirement applies only to police and/or fire department personnel 

a. Coverage mandated by state law 

b. Coverage optional on the part of each city 

14. County employees covered by workers’ compensation 

a. Coverage mandated by state law 

b. Coverage optional on the part of each county 

a. Prohibition general and applies to all cities and counties 

b. Prohibition applies only to certain types or classes of employees 

a. Equal pay for equal work 

b. Comparable worth 

a. Health insurance 

b. Family leave 

c Daycare 

d. Other 

10. State law imposes personnel training requirements on certain county employees 

11. State law requires cities to establish a municipal retirement system or to participate 

12 State law requires all counties to establish a county retirement system or 

13. City employees covered by workers’ compensation 

8? 

15. State law prohibits political activity by city or county employees 

16. State law mandates that local government adopt pay plans 

17. State law authorizes specific benefits for local government workers 

xx+x+x++xxxx 

xx+x+x++xxxx 

++ X + 

+ + + 

x x+ x+ x++ xxx x 

xx+x+x++xxxx 

+ +++ + + 

x x x x x x x+ -* x * - - x x x x x + - * x - 

X 

x+ x+ x x x x x* 

X X +xx X 

+ +xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

xxxxxxxxxxxx 

xxxxxxxxxxxx 

xxxxxxxxxxxx 

- X X ++ x 

++ x - X X 

0 

12 

12 

4 

3 

12 

12 

6 

9 

7 

1 

9 

6 

3 

12 

12 

0 

12 

12 

0 

5 

3 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

000 0 

408+4 

408+4 

301+3 

300+3 

408+4 

408+4 

600+6 

1 2 10 -1 

139 - 2 

001 0 

207+2 

105+1 

212+1 

0 012 0 

0 012 0 

000 0 

0 012 0 

0 012 0 

000 0 

214+1 

201+2 

013 - 1 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 
Table C6 

Northeastern Region 

Key 

X applicable law in effect in 1990 and 1978 surveys (if question was asked in 1978) + applicable law enacted after 1978 survey - applicable law in effect at time of 1978 survey repealed or otherwise rendered inapplicable before 1990 

* see note in citation section 

na question not asked 

Total Total Change 

1978- 

CT ME MA NH NJ NY PA RI VT 1990 + - 1978 1990 

A. Form of Government 

1. Optional forms of government are set forth in general law for cities 

(number of forms authorized) 

2. Optional forms of government are set forth in general law for counties 

(number of forms authorized) 

3. Home rule authority granted cities 

a. By state constitution 

b. By general laws 

c. Structural home rule 

d. Broad functional home rule 

e. Limited functional home rule 

4. Home rule authority granted counties 

oo a. By state constitution 

b. By general law 

c Structural home rule 

d. Broad functional home rule 

e. Limited functional home rule 

5. Classes of cities are provided for 

a. Determined by population 

b. Determined by area 

c. Determined in some other way 

6. Limits imposed on incorporation of new local government units 

a. Minimum population required 

b. Minimum area required 

c. Minimum distance from existing units required 

d. Minimum ad valorem tax base required 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. Municipal annexation authorized by general law .~ 

a. Initiated by a petition of property ownem in area to be annexed-percentage of property omem required 

b. Initiated by city ordinance or resolution 

c. Public hearing required 

d. Referendum and majority approval in city required 

e. Referendum and majority approval (or majority written consent) in area to be annexed required 

f. Approval of county governing authority required 

2. Consolidation of cities authorized 

a. Referendum and majority approval of only one city required 

b. Referendum and majority approval of each city required C. No referendum required 

x - * x x x x x -* 6 028 - 2 

*+ xxx *3 102+1 

xxxxxxxx 8 008 0 

xxx xxx 6 006 0 

X+ xxx + 6 204+2 

x+++xxxx 8 305+3 

xx 2 002 0 

xxxx xx 6 006 0 

+ +xxx 5 203+2 

xx 2 002 0 

+ +xx 4 202+2 

+ xxx 4 103+1 

xx 2 002 0 

+ X 2 101+1 

-x X X 3 014 - 1 

X X X 3 003 0 

0 na 

0 000 0 

X 1001 0 

X 1001 0 

X 1001 0 

0 000 0 

0 000 0 

5 65745 

3 423 

*+ x x+ 4 202+2 

x x+ 3 102+1 

+ 1 100+1 

x+ 2 101+1 - 0 011 - 1 - x+ 2 112 0 

0 000 0 

xxx x 7 205+2 

0 000 0 

xxx x6 105+1 

1 10 0 +1 

x++ 

x+ 

+ 
Table C6 (cant.) 

Northeastern Region 

Total Total 

CT ME MA NH NJ NY PA RI VT 1990 + - 1978 

Change 

1978- 

1990 

3. Consolidation of cities and counties authorized 

a. Referendum and majority approval of each city affected required 

b. Referendum and majority approval of county required 

c. Referendum and majority approval of unincorporated area of county required 

4. Interlocal service agreements authorized by general law or by state constitution 

C. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 00 wl 

9. 

Local Elections 

State law establishes election dates for local elections 

a. One date for cities and counties 

b. One date for cities only 

c. One date for counties only 

State law sets candidate qualifications for local elections 

State law limits campaign expenditures of candidates for local office 

State law imposes campaign financing disclosure requirements on candidates for local office 

State law sets voter qualifications for local elections 

State law requires local governments to provide for absentee voting in local elections 

State law requires local governments to allow write-in votes in local elections 

State law establishes a procedure for recall of local elected officials 

a. Initiative and referendum authorized 

b. Some other method of recall provided 

State law establishes voter registration procedure 

a. One registration suffices for all elections 

b. Voter must register for local elections separately 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. State law requires that all local government meetin@ at which official action is taken be open to the public 

2. State law requires that local government records be open to public inspection at reasonable hours 

3. State law mandates a procedure for the adoption of municipal ordinances and/or resolutions 

a. All proposed ordinancedresolutions must be in writing 

b. All proposed ordinances/resolutions must be approved as to form and legality by the city attorney 

c. All proposed ordinances/resolutions must relate to only one subject 

d. All proposed ordinances/resolutions must receive at least two reading and be finally approved 

e. The final vote on all ordinances/resolutions must be recorded when SO requested by any member 

4. State law mandates a procedure for the adoption of county ordinances and/or resolutions 

5. State law authorizes initiative and referendum on local ordinances and/or resolutions 

6. State law requires codification of municipal ordinances/resolutions 

7. State law requires codification of county ordinances/resolutions 

8. Local elected officials subject to a state-imposed Code of Ethics 

a. Violators subject to fine 

b. Violators subject to removal from office 

9. Sovereign immunity for local government torts has been waived by the state 

on a different day than the day introduced 

0 000 

0 000 

0 000 

0 000 

xx xxxxx+ 8 107 

xx 

- X 

X 

xx 

+ 

x x' 

xx 

xx 

++ 

xxxxxx 8 008 

-xxx - 3 036 

xx 3 na 

X x3 na 

- xxxx 6 0 17 

101 

x-xxxx+ 8 118 

xxxxxxx 9 009 

xxx+xxx 9 108 

xx+ x 6 303 

+- 1 111 

X 2 

X 1 na 

0 na 

xxxxxxxxx 9 na 

xxxxxxxxx 9 na 

0 na 

X xxxxxxx 8 0 08 

xx+ x xx+x 8 206 

+ X X 3 102 

X 1001 

0 000 

X 1001 

+ 

X 

X X 2 002 

X 1001 

+ 2 200 - x* x* 3 014 

- + 1111 

0 000 

X - + X 3 113 

X + X 3 102 

X - X 2 013 

X x* x - xx 5 016 

0 

0 

0 

0 

+1 

0 

-3 

-1 

+1 

0 

0 

+1 

+3 

0 

0 

+2 

+I 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

+2 

-1 

0 

0 

0 

+1 

-1 

-1 
Table C6 (cont.) 

Northeastern Region 

10. Impeachment of local officials authorized 

a. By state constitution 

b. By state law 

c. Grounds enumerated 

d. Procedure 

a. By appointment 

b. By special/general election 

a. By appointment 

b. By special/general election 

11. State law establishes procedure to fill vacancies in elected county offices 

12. State law establishes procedure to fill vacancies in elected city offices 

13. State constitution or statutory law authorizes state "takeover" of administration of local government 

14. State law requires partisan representation on local boards and commissions 

E. Financial Management 

1. Debt limits imposed on cities 

a. Limit expressed as a percentage of assessed property value or as a maximum millage rate amount 00 b. Limit expressed in some other way 

2. Debt limits imposed on counties 

a Limit expresed as a percentage of assessed property value or as a maximum millage rate amount 

b. Limit expressed in some other way 

3. State law specifies purposes for which local debt may be incurred 

4. State law requires a referendum for local bond issues 

a. Referendum required for all local bond issues 

b. Referendum required only for general obligation bond issues 

5. State law establishes a maximum bond life for local bonds 

a. Maximum life established for all local bonds 

b. Maximum life established only for general obligation bond issues 

6. State law establishes interest ceiling(s) for local government bonds 

a. For all local bonds 

b. For general obligation bonds 

7. State law permits short-term borrowing by local units 

a. Prior state approval necessary 

b. Short-term debt must be repaid within fiscal year incurred 

8. Property tax limits imposed on cities 

9. Property tax limits imposed on counties 

10. State law establishes method of property tax assessment for local governments 

11. Cities required to adopt an annual operating budget 

Q\ 

a. State law specifies budget form 

b. At least one public hearing required prior to budget adoption c Additional procedural requirements for budget adoption in state law 

CT ME MA NH NJ NY PA RI VT ~ 

X 

A 

X 

X 

xxxxxx X 

xxxxxx X* 

X 

xxx xxxx 

xx xx X 

X X X 

xxxxxxxxx 

xxxxxx xx X* 

xxxx 

xxx X* 

xxx+xxx X 

X + *x+ * 

X X 

X X 

+x +xxx X 

xx xxxx X 

xx + xx X 

xxxxxxxxx 

- 

+ + + 

+ + x++ 

+ +xx xxxxxxxxx 

+ ++ x 

+ ++ x + +* + x 

* 

X X 

Total 

1990 + - 

9 00 

8 

1 

4 00 

3 

1 

8 10 

4 20 

2 

2 

7 20 

7 

0 

3 10 

3 

0 

9 00 

0 01 

3 30 

5 40 

4 20 

9 00 

4 30 

4 30 

4 30 

2 

Total 

1978 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

no 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

9 

na 

na 

4 

na 

na 

7 

2 

na 

na 

5 

na 

na 

2 

na 

na 

9 

1 

0 

1 

2 

9 

1 

1 

1 

na 

Change 

1978- 

1990 

0 

0 

+1 

+2 

+2 

+1 

0 

-1 

+3 

+4 

+2 

0 

+3 

+3 

+3 
c 

Table C6 (cont.) 

Northeastern Region 

12. Counties required to adopt an annual operating budget 

a. State law specifies budget form 

b. At least one public hearing required prior to budget adoption 

c Additional procedural requirements for budget adoption in state law 

by state agency 

a. Competitive bidding on all purchases over a specified amount required 

b. Competitive bidding on all purchases of a designated type required 

c Preference must be given to local or state businesses whenever possible 

d. The purchasing function required to be centralized in one person or office 

e. Cooperative purchasing by local units-either jointly or in conjunction with the state13. Local governments quired to foIIow uniform mnting procedures in state law or as established 

14. State law sets purchasing standards for local governments 

is authorized or provided for 

a. State law specifies audit content 

b. Audits must be filed with the state 

a. State law specifies audit content 

b. Audits must be filed with the state 

15. State law requires cities to conduct an independent post-audit 

16. State law requires counties to conduct an independent post-audit ‘ 

17. State law establishes a common fiscal year for cities or for counties or for both 

18. The investment of idle funds by cities and counties prescribed by state law 

19. State law authorizes state “takeover” of the financial administration of city 

a. Grounds 

b. Procedure 

a. Grounds 

b. Procedure 

20. State law authorizes state “takeover” of the financial administration of county 

21. State law provides for marketing of local bonds 

22. State law provides for maintenance of a “sinking fund” for local debt service 

a. Mandated 

b. Discretionary 

a. State function 

b. Local function 

a. For cities 

b. For counties 

a. For cities 

b. For counties 

c Enumerated conditions 

23. Property tax assessment 

24. State constitution or statutory law mandates a balanced budget 

25. State law authorizes/mandates state audit of local accounts 

Total Total Change 

1978- 

CT ME MA NH NJ NY PA RI VT 1990 + - 1978 1990 

+ xxx+ 5 203+2 

+ xxx+ 5 203+2 

+xxx 4 103+1 

xx 2 na 

xxxx - + x+ 7 216+1 

x+ x++ x x 7 304+3 

- + x++ 4 312+2 

0 000 0 

+ 1 100+1 

X 1 001 0 

- x++xx 5 214+1 

x x* + X+X* x * 7 205+2 

-x x+ x+ 5 214+1 

xx x+ - x 5 115 0 

+ x+ x 4 202+2 

x+ x 3 102+1 

x+ - 2 112 0 

X-XXXXf x+ x 8 118 0 

x x x+* x x x x 8 107+1 

1 na 

X* 1 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

xx X X 4 na 

xxxxxxxx 8 na 

X X X xx 5 na 

X X X 3 na 

xxxxxxxxx 9 na 

0 na 

xxxxxxxxx 9 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

5 na 

5 na 

4 na 

2 na 

** X 

* 

xxxxx 

xxxxx 

xxxx 

X* x* 
Table C6 (cont.) 

Northeastern Region 

Total Total Change 

1978- 

CT ME MA NH NJ NY PA RI VT 1990 + - 1978 1990 

E Personnel Management 

1. State law requires cities to adopt a merit system 

a. Requirement applies only to cities over a certain population, of a certain class 

b. Requirement applies only to certain municipal employees 

c. Cities required to adopt a job classification and pay plan 

d. Cities required to provide for at least an annual evaluation of employee job performance 

e. Cities required to establish an employee grievance procedure for municipal workers 

2 State law requires counties to adopt a merit system 

a. Requirement applies only to counties over a certain population 

or of a specified form of government 

b. Requirement applies only to certain county employees 

3. State law authorizes cities to engage in collective bargaining with public employee representatives 

a. Broad authority applies to all municipal employees 

b. Limited authority applies to certain groups or classes of municipal employees 

c. In the event of impasse, binding arbitration mandated 

4. State law authorizes counties to engage in collective bargaining with public employee representatives 

a. Broad authority applies to all county employees 

b. Limited authority applies to certain groups or classes of county employees 

c. In the event of impasse, binding arbitration mandated 

5. State law permits strikes by certain designated public employee groups 

6. State law requires that local governments actively and affirmatively seek out minority 

and women candidates for available local government positions 

7. State law requires that city employees reside in the city 

8. State law requires that county employees reside in the county 

9. State law imposes personnel training requirements on certain municipal employees 

a. Minimum training for city police required 

b. Minimum training for city fire fighters required 

c Minimum training for other city employees required 

a. Minimum training for county police required 

b. Minimum training for other county employees required 

or of a specified form of government 

10. State law imposes personnel training requirements on certain county employees 

11. State law requires cities to establish a municipal retirement system or to participate in the state 

retirement system 

a. Requirement applies to all cities 

b. Requirement applies to all city employees 

retirement system 

a. Requirement applies to all county employees 

b. Requirement applies only to police and/or fire department personnel 

12. State law requires all counties to establish a county retirement system or to participate in the state 

* X X 2 002 0 

X X 2 002 0 

0 000 0 X 1 001 0 

0 na 

0 000 0 

X X 2 002 0 

X X 2 002 0 - X 1 012 - 1 

xxxx xx+ x 8 107+1 

xxxx xx X 7 007 0 

+ 1 1OOfl xxx x xf 6 105+1 

+xx x+ x6 204+2 

+xx x+ x 6 204+2 

0 000 0 

3-x x+ 4 202+2 

0 000 0 

0 000 0 

0 000 0 

0 000 0 xxxx xxxx 8 008 0 

xxxx 8 008 0 

+ + 2 200+2 -- 0 022 - 2 

-xx+xx 116 0 

-xx+xx x6 116 0 

100+1 

+x x** 3 102+1 

+x X 3 102+1 

0 000 0 

3 102+1 

0 000 0 

1 0 2 +1 

* 

xxxx 

x6 

+ 1 

7 

+x X 

+x X 
Table C6 (cant.) 

Northeastern Region 

Total Total Change 

1978- 

CT ME MA NH NJ NY PA RI VT 1990 + - 1978 1990 

13. City employees covered by workers’ compensation 

a. Coverage mandated by state law 

b. Coverage optional on the part of each city 

14. County employees covered by workers’ compensation 

a. Coverage mandated by state law 

b. Coverage optional on the part of each county 

a. Prohibition general and applies to all cities and counties 

b. Prohibition applies only to certain types or classes of employees 

a. Equal pay for equal work 

b. Comparable worth 

a. Health insurance 

b. Family leave 

c. Day care 

15. State law prohibits political activjty by city or county employees 

16. State law mandates that local government adopt pay plans 

17. State law authorizes specific benefits for local government workers 

oo d. Ot6er a 

xxxxxxxxx 9 0 0 9 0 

+xxxxxx + 8 206+2 

- x- 1 023 - 2 

xxxxxx x 7 007 0 

xxxxxx + 7 106t-1 

- 0 011 - 1 

X x- 2 013 - 1 

X 1 001 0 

x- 1 012 - 1 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 

0 na 
90 
Citations to State Constitutions and Statutes 

ALABAMA 

State Code Citation: Code of Alabama, 1975 (Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. § 11-43A-1; 9 11-43B-4; 11-44-1 

2. Only one form is authorized. 11-1-5 

3. Population determines form of government. f 11-47-94 

5. 11-47-94 

6. f 11-41-1 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. 11-42-21; f 11-42-41; f 11-42-47 

2. 3 11-42-100.1 

C. Local Elections 

1. § 11-46-21; 0 17-2-4 

2. 11-43-1; 3 36-2-1 

4. 17-22A-8 

6. 8 17-10-2; 5 17-10-15 

7. 17-8-20 

8. 8 11-44E-168 

5. Const. Art. VIII 

9. 174125 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. § 13A-14-2 

2. 36-12-40 

3. f 11-45-2 

6. Not required. $ 11-45-7 

8. 36-25-l(11); f 36-25-27(aX1); 36-25-27(c) 

10. Const. Art. VII para. 173, 175 

9. § 11-47-24 

11. § 11-3-6 

12. 11-43-18 

E, Financial Management 

1. Const. Amend. No. 268 

2. Const. Amend. No. 342 

4. Const. Art. XI, § 222 

5. 11-81-6(2Xa); f 11-81-6(1Xa) 

6. Local governments are exempt. f 8-8-7 

7. Const. Amend. 268 

8. Const. Amend. No. 373(c) 

9. Const. Amend. No. 373(c) 

11. 11-44E-111 

12. J 11-3-13; f 11-8-3 

15. § 11-43-85 

17, f 11-8-1; f 11-44E-110 

18. 3 11-8-11 

22. I 11-81-15 

23. 140-8-4 

25. 545-5-14 

F. Personnel Management 

1. f 11-43-182; 11-43-186 

2. 8 11-6-5 

5. Strikes by fire fighters prohibited. f 11-43-143 

9. §36-21-46(aX3); § 36-32-8(aX3) 

10. f 36-21-46(aX3) 

11. Discretionary. 36-27-6 

12. Discretionary. 36-27-6 

13. 3 25-5-1; 25-5-50 

14. 25-5-1 

ALASKA 

State Code Citation: Alaska Statutes 1986 (Supp. 1989) 

Note: Alaska presents a unique situation by virtue of the continuing 

settlement of the state. The state has not established a tradi- tional city-county government system but has divided the state 

into boroughs. All unorganized temtory is encompassed within a single borough, which contains numerous service districts 

allowing local participation and control. Cities have concur- rent powers with boroughs in performing some functions. This 

section attempts to reconcile the Alaskan system with the tra- ditional city-county system and the study profile. 

A. Form of Government 

3. Const. Art. 10, I9-11; § 29.04.010; Const. Art. 10, § 11; 

29.10.200 

4. Const. Art. 10, f 9-11; Const. Art. 10, 11 

5. f 29.04.040 

6. 29.05.011 

1. Subject to approval of local boundary commission. 

Const. Art. 10, 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

12; f 29.06.040(~)(3); J 29.06.040(~)(2); 

29.06.040(cXl) 

2. 5 29.06.200; f 29.06.360 

4. Const. Art. 10, f 13 

C. Local Elections 

1. 29.26.040 

2. f 29.20.140; f 29.20.240 

4. 15.13.010; f 15.13.110 

5. f 29.26.050 

6. f 15.20.010 

7. 15.20.211 

8. ff 29.26.240 et seq.; f 29.26.260 

9. 29.26.050 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. 8 29.20.020; § 46.62.310 

91 

A 
3. J 29.25.020 

5. J29.26.100 

6. 29.25.050 

12. 8 29.20.180 

1. $ 29.47.190 

2. 29.47.190 

3. § 29.47.440; 0 29.47.180 

4. J 29.47.190 

7. J 29.47.010 

8. J 29.45.090 

10. J 29.45.110 

11. J 29.35.100 

15. J 29.35.120 

16. J 29.35.120 

23. 29.45.110 

E. Financial Management 

E Personnel Management 

1. All promotions must be by merit, but no formal merit 

system is required. J 29.20.410 

2. All promotions must be by merit, but no formal merit 

system is required. J 29.20.410 

3. 0 23.40.070 

4. I23.40.070 

9. J 18.65.280 

10. J 18.65.280 

13. 0 23.30.265 

14. J 23.30.265 

ARIZONA 

State Code Citation: Arizona Revised Statutes 1956 (1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. 

3. 

J 9-211; 8 9-31; $9-281 

J 9-219; 8 9-240; J 9-271 

4. 8 11-201; Const. Art. 13, J 2 

5. Const. Art. 13, J 1 

6. $9-101; 8 9-101.02 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. § 9-471; 8 9-471(2) 

2. 59-121 

4. J 11-952 

C. Local Elections 

1. Const. Art. 7, § 11; $ 9-821 

2. 9-232; f 11-211 

4. J 16-907; 16-909 

5. J 16-101; 5 9-822 

7. J 16-312 

9. 

6. 516-541 

8. Const. Art. 8, Part 1, J 1; Const. Art. 8, Part 1, J 2 

J 16-105; J 9-823; § 9-824 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. J 38-431.01 

5. Const. Art. 4, Part 1, I l(8) 

10. Impeachment applies to state officials only. 

Const. Art. 8, Part 2, J 2 

11. J 11-251 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. Art. 9, I8 

2. Const. Art. 9, J 8 

4. § 9-824; J 35-455 

7. J 35-465.01; J 35-467.01 

8. Const. Art. 9, § 19 

9. Const. Art. 9, I 19 

10. J 42-221 

11. $42-302; J 42-303 

12. I 42-302; J 42-303 

15. J 9-481 

16. 11-663 

17. 42-302 

21. J 48-597 

22. 9 48-595 

23. J 42-221 

25. J 41-1279.04 

F. Personnel Management 

2. $38-1001; J 11-352 

13. $23-901; J 23-962 

14. § 23-901; J 23-962 

ARKANSAS 

State Code Citation: Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated (Supp. 1989) 

A. Form of Government 

1. 

3. J 14-43-610; I 14-46-31; 3 14-47-101; 14-48-101 

5. $ 14-37-102; 3 14-37-103 

J 14-46-201; J 14-47-101; J 14-48-101 

2. § 14-14-502; J 14-14-603 

4. J 14-14-501; Const. Amend. 55, J 2(b) 

6. Const. Art. 13, § 3; § 14-38-101 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. 

2. § 14-40-1201; J 14-40-1202 

J 14-40-401; § 14-40-402; J 14-40-601; I 14-40-201; 

J 14-40-403; 8 14-40-602; J 14-40-303 

4. $25-20-108 

C. Local Elections 

1. J 7-5-102 

4. § 7-6-209; § 7-6-208 

5. Const. Art. 3, § 1; § 7-5-201 

6. I 7-5-401 

7. § 7-5-205 

9. Const. Amend. 51,s 4 

1. J 14-14-109 

2. J 1414-110 

3. I§ 14-55-201 et seq.; J 14-55-202; J 14-55-203 

4. J 14-14-907 

5. Const. Amend. 7 

6. Not mandatory. I 14-55-701 

7. 8 14-14-903(d) 

8. 0 14-14-1202 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

9. § 21-9-303 

10. Impeachment limited to state officials. Const. Art. 15, 1 

11. J 14-14-131qa) 

12. 14-47-113 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. Amend. 10; Const. Amend. 62, J 1 

2. Const. Amend. 62, J 1 

3. J 16164-303 

4. J 14-164-309 

5. J 14-164-210 

6. Const. Amend. 62, I 1 

7. J 14-164-218; J 14-164-218(~)(2) 

8. Const. Art. 12, § 4; J 26-25-102 

9. $26-25-101 

10. J 26-25-103 

11. J 14-58-201 

14. 14-58-303; J 14-22-104; J 19-11-259(b); 19-11-249 

15. J 14-58-101 

17. J 14-71-101; J 14-71-102 

13. J 14-59-109; JJ 14-25-101 et seq. 

19. No specific takeover is authorized, but the Arkansas 

Community Redevelopment Act authorizes new 

methods for financing public facilities. 

21. Const. Amend. 62, J3; f 14-164-315 

J 14-168-201 

23. 21 6-27-301 

F. Personnel Management 

1. 14-49-304; 14-50-304; 14-51- 

3. Municipal employees specifically excluded. 114203 

4. County employees specifically excluded. f 11-4-203 

9. J 12-9-106; f 12-13-201 

10. 14-15-811; 0 14-15-1001 

92 
13. 14-60-101 

14. 14-26-101 

15. J 14-49-306; 14-50-306; 14-51-303 

CALIFORNIA 

State Code Citation: West’s Annotated California Codes 1988 

(Supp. 1990) 

Note: All section numbers refer to the Government title unless 

otherwise specified. 

A. Form of Government 

1. 3 34450; 5 34851; 

5 34871; 9 36801 

2. The California Constitution authorizes counties and cities 

to adopt a charter by majority vote of the electors voting 

on the question. See Constitution, Art. 11, § 3. 

3. § 34871; § 34409 

4. § 23004; § 23003; Const. Art. 11,§ 3; § 5; 17j 

5. § 34101; § 34102; Const. Art. 11, 13; I 4; § 7j 

6. J 23306 

1. 0 56112; $ 56113 

2. $56120 

3. Const. Art. 11, f 6 

4. 8 25210.1 

C. Local Elections 

1. § 2601 (elections); 8 2600 (elections) 

2. $36502 

4. Q 84305 

5. § 34884; § 300.5 (elections) 

6. 5 1003 (elections) 

7. 3 22603 (elections) 

8. $5 27210 et seq. (elections) 

9. § 301 (elections) 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. $54953 

2. 6253 

3. $5 36930 et seq. 

4. § 25122 

5. $34871 

9. § 815.6 

11. 1752 

12. $24204 

1. § 43605 

2. f 29909 

3. 43762; 26301 

4. § 43608; 9 976.4 

5. Const. Art. 16, I 18 

6. § 43610; § 53400 

7. § 53820; I53821 

8. 97.65 (revenue & taxation) 

9. § 97.65 (revenue & taxation) 

11. $53901 

12. § 29089; § 29080; § 29088 

13. 5 29005 

14. § 54202; J 4331; § 54205 

16. Not mandated but authorized. I26883 

17. J 29080 

18. Const. Art. 11, 8 11; § 53600 

22. 8 43787; $26307 

23. 43000 

24. Balanced budget mandated for counties. I 29009 

25. I10528 

E. Financial Management 

F. Personnel Management 

1. Optional. $45001 

2. Optional. 331104 

3. 54957.6 

I 4. 8 54957.6 

9. § 13510; § 832 (penal) 

A. 

B. 

C. 

D. 

E. 

F. 

93 

10. 8 13510; I 832 (penal) 

11. Cities may opt in. 45301 

12. Counties may opt in. I 31930; J 31500; I 32230 

13. § 3300 (labor) 

14. § 3300 (labor) 

15. $5 3201 et seq. 

16. 5 53247; $53248 

COLORADO 

State Code Citation: West’s Colorado Revised Statutes 

Annotated (1989) 

Form of Government 

1. 31-4-101; 31-4-201; $ 31-4-301 

2. Only one form of county government is authorized. 

$30-11-103 

3. § 314101; 31-4-201 

4. Const. Art. 20, § 1; Const. Art. 20, I 6; Const. Art. 20, I 9j; 

5. The classification of cities appears to have no 

operational effect. I 31-1-201; Const. Art. 14, I 16 

8 30-11-101 

6. $31-2-101 

Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

4. Const. Art. 14, I 18; § 29-1-203 

1. Const. Art. 14, § 8 

2. 

1. § 31-12-107; 531-12-108; 31-12-112; !j 31-12-111 

2. Q 31-12-401; 31-12-402 

Local Elections 

31-10-301; Const. Art. 14, § 10 

3. I 1-45-112; § 1-45-118 

4. 1-45-104 

5. §31-10-201 

6. § 31-10-1001 

7. 31-10-306 

8. §J 31-4-501 et seq.; f 31-4-502 

9. 0 31-10-203 

Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. 129-9-101 

2. $24-72-203 

3. §S 31-16-101 et seq.; § 31-16-106; 3 31-16-108 

5. 5 1-40-117 

9. Each local government may do this itself. 824-10-104 

10. Impeachment limited to state officials. Const. Art. U, § 2 

11. Const. Art. 14, 0 9 

14. § Const. Art. 14, I9 

Financial Management 

1. Const. Art. 11, 0 6 

2. Const. Art. 11, I6 

4. Referendum for water bonds not required 

§31-15-302(1)(dXII); Const. Art. 11, $6; 3 31-21-103 

7. $I 29-14-101 et seq. 

8. Const. Art. 10, I 11 

9. Const. Art. 10, I 11 

10. §I 39-5 et seq. 

13. I§ 29-1-501 et seq. 

14. Competitive bidding required in certain cases. § 29-1-701; 

cooperative purchasing authorized. @24-110-101 et seq. 

8. 524-18-102 

12. $ 31-4-103 

5. $31-21-104 

11. 29-1-104; § 29-1-108; 29-1-llO(3) 

12. $29-1-104; 8 29-1-110 

15. § 29-1-603; § 29-1-606 

16. 29-1-603; 29-1-606 

17. § 29-1-103 

18. 31-20-303 

21. 31-21-105 

23. Const. Art. 10, I 15 

24. 29-1-107 

25. $29-1-607 

Personnel Management 

1. Cities may opt in. 31-30-101 
9. 81 24-33.5-301 et seq. 

10. 24-33.5-301 et seq. 

11. 331-30-301; f 31-30-401; 31-30-501; 3 31-30-601 

12. I 31-30-301; § 31-30-401; $31-30-501; 31-30-601 

13. 58-41-105 

14. $8-41-105 

CONNECTICUT 

State Code Citation: Connecticut General Statutes 

Annotated 1988 (Supp. 1990) 

Note: This state does not have functional county government. 

A. Form of Government 

1. 57-193 

3. Const. Art. 10, § 1; 17-188; 17-193; I 7-194 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

2. 7-195 to 3 7-201; 7-199 

4. J7-339a 

C. Local Elections 

1. Q 9-164 

2. I 9-153 

4. 9-153 

3. I9-333i 

5. Const. Art. 6, I 1; § 9-12 

6. 8 9-133f 

7. 9-265 

9. g9-20 

1. 51-21 

2. § 1-19 

9. 8 7-308; 7-65 

1%. F, 9-220; 3 9-221 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

E. Financial Management 

1. I 7-343 

3. 9 7-369 

5. 8 7-385 

7. $7-148 

10. J 7-203 

11. $7-344 

13. $7-399 

15. 8 7-392; 7-395 

17. 5 7-382; § 7-381 

18. J 7-400 

22. 3 7-148(2fi) 

23. 5 12-40 

F. Personnel Management 

3. I 7-47; I 7-473c 

9. 8 7-294 

13. J 31-275 

DELAWARE 

State Code Citation: Delaware Code Annotated 

(rev. 1974XSupp. 1989) 

A. Form of Government 

2. State law sets the form of government for each of the 

three countries. 

3. Tit. 22, 802 

1. Tit. 22, 8 101 

1. Tit. 15, I4501 

2. Tit. 9, I 7002 

3. Tit. 15, I 8001 

4. Tit. 15, I 8007 

5. Tit. 15, I 1701 

6. Tit. 15, § 5502 

7. Tit. 15, 4502 

9. Tit. 15, I 1704 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

C. Local Elections 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

2. Tit. 2, I 315 

4. Tit. 9, § 1152; Tit. 9, §7002(m) 

7. Tit. 9, 8 7002(r); Tit. 9, I 1161 

11. Tit. 9, I303 

E. Financial Management 

1. Tit. 22, 107 

2. Tit. 9, §7002(tX6); Tit. 9, § 1163(aX7) 

3. Tit. 9, J 7002(tXl); Tit. 9, 1163(aX2) 

5. Kent County-25 years. Tit. 9, I 4156; Tit. 9, § 1163(aX4) 

9. Tit. 9, § 8002 i 

10. Tit. 9, 8301 I 

12. Tit. 9, 9 8001; Tit. 9, I 1132; Tit. 9, 

14. Tit. 29, 6804 

16. Tit. 9, I 348 

17. Common fiscal year set for countries. Tit. 9, 342 

21. Newuastle County must have a public sale. 

Tit. 9, I 1163(aX5) 

23. Tit. 9, 410 

25. Kent County is required to have two audits per year. 

Tit. 9, § 9305 

F. Personnel Management 

1. Discretionary. Tit. 29, I 5951 

2. Tit. 29, I5951; Tit. 9, § 7007 

3. Tit. 19, $ 1301; Tit. 19, 3 1301(2Xd); Tit. 19, $ 1310 

4. Tit. 19, § 1301; Tit. 19, 0 1301(2Xd); Tit. 19, 3 1310 

5. Strikes are specifically prohibited. Tit. 19, § 1312 

9. Tit. 29, § 2516; Tit. 29, I8205 

10. Tit. 29, I 2516; Tit. 29, I 8205 

12. Tit. 9, I3101; Tit. 9, I 4302 I 

13. Tit. 19, I2309 

14. Tit. 9, 3 311(b) 

7002(n) 

FLORIDA 

State Code Citation: Florida Statutes Annotated 1989 

A. Form of Government 

2. § 125.60; § 124.01; I 125.81 

3. Const. Art. 8, § 2 and I 2@); § 166.021 

4. Const. Art. 8, § l(g); 9 125.01; J 125.60; 9125.80 

6. I 165.061 

1. 8 171.0413 

2. 8 161.041; f 161.061 

3. Const. Art. 8, 3 

4. J 163.01 

1. Const. Art. 6, 5 

2. 99.012 

3. 106.11 

4. I 106.07 

5. Const. Art. 6, 9 2; Const. Art. 6, J 4 

6. J 101.64 

8. 100.361 

9. 8 98.041 

1. I286.011 

2. I 119.01 

3. § 166.041; I 166.041(2); § 166.041(3Xa) 

4. 5 125.66; 125.67 

7. § 125.68 

8. I 112.3145; 9 112.317 

9. 3 768.14; § 768.28 

10. Const. Art. 3, 17; Const. Art. 3, f 17(c) 

11. Const. Art. 4, If 

12. Const. Art. 10, 3; 3 112.501; I 112.51 

13. J 252.38 

E. Financial Management 

3. I 130.01 

4. Const. Art. 7, I 12 

6. I 215.84(3) 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

C. Local Elections 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

94 
7. 215.431 

8. Const. Art. 7, § 2 

9. Const. Art. 7, 2 

10. § 193.011 

11. g200.065 

12. 129.01; 129.02; § 129.03(4Xc); 129.03 

W. 0 129.OqlXa) 

14. 5 163.01 

15. Audits conducted by state. !j 11.45 

16. Audits conducted by state. § 11.45 

17. Cities and counties, October 1September 30. J 129.04; 

8 166.241 

18. 5166.261 

19. In the event of a financial emergency, cities are 

authorized to receive a percentage of the sales tax. 

3 218.61; 5 218.503 

20. In the event of a financial emergency, counties are 

authorized to receive a percentage of the sales tax. 

9 218.61; ?j 218.503 

21. 218.385 

22. f 166.122 

23. §200.001 

24. 166.241; 129.01(2)@) 

25. 11.45 

F. Personnel Management 

3. §I 447.209 et seq.; § 447.203; ?j 447.401 

4. QQ 447.209 et seq.; 0 447.203; 8 447.40 

5. Strikes are specifically prohibited by the state 

constitution. Const. Art. 1, § 6 

6. Affirmative action law applies to state employees 

only. I 110.112 

9. 943.10 

10. 0 943.10 

11. 8 112.61; § 185.02; I 175.041 

12. § 112.61; I 185.02; I 175.041 

13. §440.02(12); I440.03 

14. §440.02(12); § 440.03(6) 

15. 8 104.31 

GEORGIA 

State Code Citation: Official Code of Georgia Annotated (Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. Form of government is set by local act of the General 

Assembly. f 36-35-2 

2. Form of government is set by an act of the General 

Assembly. Counties may create the office of county 

manager. B 36-5-22 

3. Const. Art. 9, 2, para. 2 and 3; $5 36-34-1 

4. Const. Art. 9, 2, para. 1 and 3 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

6. $36-31-1 

1. J 36-36-2; $36-36-22 

4. § 36-80-8 

3. Const. Art. 9, I 3, para. 2 

C. Local Elections 

1. $21-2-9; § 21-3-12 

2. 845-2-1 

3. $21-5-33 

4. 821-5-1 

5. Q 21-2-210; 21-3-125 

6. 21-2-380; 21-3-281 

7. 21-2-285; § 21-3-362 

9. 521-3-12 

8. 21-4-3 et seq.; 21-4-8; 21-4-13 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. 50-14-1 

2. J 50-18-70 

8. $45-10-1 

9. $36-33-1 

11. 545-5-1 

12. $45-5-1 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. Art. 9, § 5, para. 1 

2. Const. Art. 9, J 5, para. 1 

4. 36-82-1 

7. Const. Art. 9, § 5, para. 5 

10. § 36-44-9 

18. No limitations. 36-80-3 

22. Const. Art. 9, 5, para. 6 

23. 348-5-29 

24. 36-81-3 

25. 36-81-7 

F. Personnel Management 

5. Strikes are specifically prohibited. J 45-19-1 

7. Residency requirements are prohibited. 45-2-5 

8. Residency requirements are prohibited. § 45-2-5 

9. ?j 35-8-8; J 25-4-1 

10. $ 35-8-8 

11. Participation is optional. $47-5-1 

12. Participation is optional. § 47-5-1 

13. 0 34-9-3 

14. 34-9-3 

HAWAII 

State Code Citation: Hawaii Revised Statutes Annotated 1988 

(Supp. 1989) 

Note: There are general provisions applicable to all counties. The in- dividual county sections have been repealed. There are no 

general provisions for cities and only a few for Honolulu. 

A. Form of Government 

3. Const. Art. 8, ?j 2 

4. Const. Art. 8, § 2; § 46-1.5 

C. Local Elections 

3. 11-206; 11-209 

4. 11-199 

5. ?j 11-11; g 11-12 

6. J 15-2 

9. Ill-11 

1. 5 92-3 

2. 592F-12 

7. § 46-2.1 

8. Const. Art. 14 

9. H46-72 

10. Impeachment applies to state officials only. 

Const. Art. 3,§ 19 

E. Financial Management 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. 47-2; Const. Art. 7, 13 

2. § 47-2; Const. Art. 7, § 13 

3. 047-3 

5. Const. Art. 7, § 13; § 47-7 

6. 47-7 

7. 47-2.2 

10. 81 246-1 et seq. 

12. $46-41 

14. 8 103-22 to f 103-3; 103-43; 46-56 

17. 546-41 

18. § 46-50 

347-31 

23. $246-2 

25. Const. Art. 7, 8 10 

F. Personnel Management 

2. 5s 76-78 et seq. 

3. §§ 89-1 et seq.; § 89-2; § 89-11 

4. $1 89-1 et seq.; § 89-2; I 89-11 

12. J 88-151; §$88-181 et seq.; 8 88-181 

5. 189-12 

11. 88-151; 8 88-181 

13. $386-1 

14. $386-1 

15. § 76-91 

95 
IDAHO 

State Code Citation: General Laws of Idaho Annotated 1947 

(Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. $3 50-601 et seq.; 50-801 et seq. 

4. I 31604 

3. 850-301 

6. § 50-101; Const. Art. 18, 8 4 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

2. §I 50-2101 et seq.; 3 50-2105 

1. § 50-429; fi 34-101 

4. 850-477 

5. 50-413 

1. 5 50-222 

C. Local Elections 

2. 5 50-601; $50-702 

6. $50-442 

7. 50-439 

9. § 50-476 

8. §I 34-1701 et seq.; 5 34-1703 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. 8 67-2341 

2. 8 31-713 

3. i§ 50-901 et seq.; Q 50-902 

4. Ei 31-715 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

15'. 

18. 

21. 

22. 

2.3. 

25. 

5. 850-501 

6. $50-904 

8. §§ 59-701 et seq.; f 59-705 

9. Of 6-901 et seq. 

11. $31-817 

12. 8 50-608; 5 50-704 

E. Financial Management 

Const. Art. 8, I3 

Const. Art. 8, 3 

Const. Art. 8,§ 3; J 57-210 

Const. Art. 7. 6 9 

§ 50-1019; § 31-1901; $31-1903 

8 57-203; 31-1905; I 57-203 

f 50-237 

Const. ~rt. 7; ij 9 

I§ 63-201 et seq. 

§§ 31-1601 et seq.; I31-1605; 5 31-1603 

50-1012 

§ 50-2620 

§ 50-1010 

31-1701 

850-1001; 31-1601 

f 50-1013 

3 57-215 to 57-217 

50-1002 

Const. Art. 8, I 3; I57-222 

State law authorizes state audit of local accounts. 5 67-449 

63-201 

E Personnel Management 

1. Cities may opt in. I 50-1601; § 50-1609 

3. $44-1801 

4. 44-1801 

9. I§ 19-5101 et seq. 

10. I§ 19-5101 et seq. 

13. f 72-205 

14. 3 72-205 

ILLINOIS 

State Code Citation: Smith Hurd. Illinois Annotated Statutes 

1971 (1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. Ch. 24, para. 4-4-1; Ch. 24, para. 5-5-1 

2. Ch. 34, 5 401, f 901 

3. Const. Art. 7, I 6 

4. Const. Art. 7, I6 

6. Ch. 24, para. 7-1-1 

1. Ch. 24, para. 7-1-1 et seq.; Ch. 24, para. 7-1-2; 

Ch. 24, para. 7-1-4 

2. Ch. 24, para. 7-1-15; Ch. 24, para. 7-1-16 

4. Const. Art. 7, !j 10; Ch. 127, $ 742 

1. Ch. 46, para. 2A-28, 29,27; Ch. 46, para. 2A-24 

4. Ch. 46, para. 9-11 

5. Ch. 46, para. 4-10 

6. Ch. 46, para. 19-1 

7. Ch. 24, para. 3-5-3e 

9. Ch. 46, para. 6-29 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

C. Local Elections 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. Ch. 102, para. 41.01; Ch. 102, para. 42 

2. Const. Art. 8, I 1 

5. Const. Art. 7, 5 11; Ch. 46 para. 28-4 

9. Ch. 85, para. 1-101 et seq. 

12. Ch. 24, $5 3-2-7 et seq. 

14. Partisan representation required on Cook County Board 

only. Const. Art. 7, 3 3 

8. Ch. 28, 5 3-11-1; Ch. 24, 3-14-5; Ch. 24, $ 4-8-2 

E. Financial Management 

1. Ch. 85, $851; Ch. 24, f 8-5-16 

2 Ch. 85, f 851; Ch. 34,s 5-1012 

4. Ch. 24,s 8-4-1 

5. Ch. 24, 8 8-4-15; Ch. 34, 5-1012 

6. Ch. 34,s 5-1012 

7. Ch. 24, Q 8-1-3.1 

8. Const. Art. 9, § 4 

9. Const. Art. 9, 8 4 

10. Ch. 120, 8 501a-501m 

11. Ch. 85, f 803 

13. Const. Art. 8, § 4; Ch. 102, I20 

14. Ch. 24, $3 8-10-1 et seq.; Ch. 24, 3-6-4; 

15. Ch. 85, 9 702 

12. Ch. 34, 6-1001; Ch. 34,s 6-1002 

Ch. 24, 8-10-15 

16. Ch. 85, S 702; Ch. 34,s 6-31003 

17. Ch. 24, 1-1-2 

22. Ch. 24, 8-4-11; Ch. 24, 8-4-12 

23. Ch. 120, § 501a 

25. State may mandate an audit if a local government fails to 

file one. Ch. 34, § 6-31004; Ch. 85, § 704 

3. Ch. 48, § 1603; Ch. 48, I 1607 

4. Ch. 48, f 1603; Ch. 48, I 1607 

9. Ch. 85, I 508; Ch. 85, J 508.1 

10. Ch. 85, 508; Ch. 85, 508.1 

11. Ch. 108.5, $5 8-101 et seq. 

12. Ch. 108.5, §§ 9-101 et seq. 

13. Ch. 48, 138.1 

14. Ch. 48, 138.1 

F. Personnel Management 

INDIANA 

State Code Citation: Bums Indiana Statutes Annotated 1971 (1990) 

A. Form of Government 

2. f 36-2-2-1; f 3 6 - 341 

3. §§ 36-1-3-1 et seq.; I 36-1-3-8 

4. $3 36-1-3-1 et seq.; 36-1-3-8 

5. $36-4-1-1 

6. 36-5-1-7 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. §I 364-3-1 et seq.; § 3643-5; I 364-3-3; $ 3643-9.1 

2. 

3. $36-3-1-1 to 36-3-1-12 

$ 36-4-1-1 to 36-4-1-9; Q 36-4-1-2 

4. §§ 36-1-7-1 et seq. 

C. Local Elections 

1. 3-10-6-5; 3-10-2-13; 3-10-2-1 

96 
2. J 3-8-1-2; f 36-3-4-2 

3. Jf 3-9-3-1 et seq. 

4. JJ 3-9-5-1 et seq. 

5. Const. Art. 2, § 2 

6. 03-11-4-1 

9. 53-7-3-1 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. J 5-14-1.5-1 

2. $5-14-3-2 

3. $36-4-6-13 

4. J 36-2-44 

6. f 36-1-5-1 

7. J36-1-5-1 

9. J 34-4-16.5-4 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. Art. 13, J 1 

2. $36-2-6-18 

5. J 36-2-6-18 

7. f 36-2-6-18 

8. f 6-1.1-18-3 

9. f 6-1.1-18-3 

10. JJ 6-1.1-4 et seq. 

14. fJ 36-1-9-1 et seq.; 536-1-9-3; J36-1-9-2 

11. 

12. f 6-1.1-17-2; 6-1.1-17-3 

23. 86-1.1-35.2-2 

J 36-4-7-6; J 6-1.1-17-2; J 6-1.1-17-3 

F. Personnel Management 

1. $36-8-3.5-1; J 36-8-3.5-15 

2. J 36-8-3.5-1 

9. §I 5-2-8-1 et seq.; f 6-1.1-35.2-2 

10. JJ 5-2-8-1 et seq; J 6-1.1-35.2-2 

11. f 36-8-8-3 

12. $36-8-8-1 

13. J 22-3-2-2; f 22-3-6-1 

14. $22-3-2-2; J 22-3-6-1 

I IOWA 

State Code Citation: Iowa Code Annotated 1949 (Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. JJ 3721, et seq. 

2. JJ331.231 et seq. 

3. Iowa has reversed the presumption of Dillon’s Rule in 

the Constitution. The rule or proposition of law that a 

municipal corporation possesses and can exercise only 

those powers granted in express words is not a part of the 

law of this state (1468) Const. Art. 3 § 38 A; 1372.9; 

J 372.10 

4. The proposition or rule of law that a county or joint 

county-municipal corporation government possesses 

and can exercise only those powers granted in express 

words is not a part of the law of this state (1978) Const. 

Art. 3,s 39A 

6. Approval of the city development board is required. 

Const. Art. 11, J 2; Approval of the county development 

board is required. J 368.17 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. § 368.7 

C. Local Elections 

1. Const. Art. 2, § 7 

2. f 376.4 

4. J 56.4 

5. J 48.2 

6. JJ 53.1 et seq. 

7. J 376.11 

9. J 48.2 

1. ff 21.1 et seq. 

2. JJ 22.1 et seq. 

3. J 380.1; J 381.4 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

6. f 380.8 

8. JJ 68B.1 et seq.; f 68B.7 

9. J613A.7 

11. f 69.13 

12. f 69.8 

14. Partisan representation required on all appointive boards 

and commissions. f 69.16 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. Art. 11, J 3 

2. Const. Art. 11, f3; J346.24 

6. Ch. 744 Ch. 75 

8. 1444.23 

9. $444.23 

10. f 441.21 

11. J 384.16 

12. J 331.434 

13. J 11.5 

14. J 28E.20 

17. f 24.2; J 384.2 

22. § 384.4; $331.430 

23. J 441.1 

25. f 331.401; $$ 11.6 et seq. 

E Personnel Management 

1. f 400.6 

2. Jf 341A.1 et seq. 

3. JJ 20.1 et seq. 

4. JJ 20.1 et seq.; f 331.324 

9. ff 80B.1 et seq. 

10. JJ 80B.1 et seq. 

11. ff 97B.1 et seq. 

12. JJ 97I3.1 et seq. 

13. f 85.61 

14. J 85.61 

15. 8 400.29 

KANSAS 

State Code Citation: Kansas Statutes Annotated Official (Supp. 1989) 

A. Form of Government 

1. J 12-104 

3. Const. Art. 12,s 5; J 12-101 

4. J 19-101; J 19-101a 

6. J 15-116; Const. Art. 9, J 1 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. Const. Art. 12, J 5; J 12-519; J 12-520a 

4. JJ 12-2901 et seq.; JJ 12-3901 et seq. 

5. J 13-101; J 14-101; J 15-101 

2. J 12-301; J 12-302 

C. Local Elections 

1. J 25-101; J 25-2102 

2. J 13-1801; J 14-205; J 13-305 

4. 81 25-4143 et seq.; JJ 25-901 et seq. 

6. Const. Art. 5, J 1 

5. 825-2306 

7. 325-2116 

8. f 25-4318; J 25-4319 

9. J 25-2302 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. $75-4317 

2. f 45-215 

3. JJ 12-3001 et seq.; J 12-3004; f 12-3002 

5. JJ 12-3013 et seq. 

9. f 75-6101 

11. J 25-312 

12. J 13-305 

E. Financial Management 

1. J 10-308; J 10-309 

2. J 10-306; f 10-307 

4. 

5. J 10-103 

6. J 10-1009 

J 10-120; J 10-202; J 39-714 

97 
8. 79-1945 

9. $79-1945 

10. Const. Art. 11, (i 1 

11. §§ 79-2925 et seq.; 8 79-2926; § 79-2929; § 79-2929a 

12. §I 79-2925 et seq.; § 79-2926; § 79-2929; 0 79-2929a 

13. J 75-1120; § 75-1120a 

15. 75-1120; 75-1124 

16. 75-1120; 0 75-1124 

17. § 75-3002 

18. 12-1675 

21. §lo-106 

22. 5 1-113; § 10-118 

23. 19-425 

24. 579-2927 

F. Personnel Management 

1. 8 13-771 

2. 0 19-4301; 5 194303 

3. $5 75-4321 et seq. 

4. I§ 75-4321 et seq. 

9. I§ 74-5602 et seq. 

10. §I 74-5602 et seq.; f 19-432; I 79-1411b 

11. § 13-14a02 

12. 13-14a02 

13. f 44-508a 

14. 844-508a 

KENTUCKY 

State Code Citation: Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated (1989) 

A. Form of Government 

1. § 83.420; f 83A.030 

3. §§ 83.460 et seq.; § 83A.030; 0 83.420 

4. f 67.083 

5. Const. § 156 

6. 5 81.060 

1. Ch. 8lA; I8lA.010; § 8lA.050; § 8lA.420 

2. 81.410 

C. Local Elections 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

4. 5 65.210-5 65.300 

1. Const. 5 158 

4. I$ 121.100 et seq. 

5. Const. 5 145 

6. 117.075 

7. 117.265 

9. I116.045 

1. § 68.805 

2. 5 61.870 

3. § 83A.060; § 83A.060(2); f 83A.060(1); § 83A.060(4); 

3 83A.060(8) 

6. 8 83A.060(11) 

10. Const. § 66-§ 68; § 63.030; §I 63.030 et seq. 

11. Const. 5 152 

12. Const. Q 152 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. 158 

2. Const. J 158 

4. $66.040 

5. 358.235 

6. § 58.040; § 58.170; § 58.235 

8. Const. 0 157 

9. Const. § 157 

10. IS 132.440 et seq. 

11. g9lA.030 

12. c 68.260 

13. 0 91A.020 

14. 5 45A.005; 45A.070; 8 45.365; 45A.420 

15. § 91A.040 

16. 68.150 

17. Const. 5 169 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

18. 66.480 

21. § 66.330; § 66.045 

22. g66.370 

23. § 91.320 to § 91.350 

25. State law mandates state audit of county accounts. 

1. § 90.310; 0 90.110; 5 90.380 

2. 5 78.425 

3. 0 345.010 

4. § 78.470 

9. 15.310; 5 95A.040 

10. 15.310 

11. 79.080 

12. g78.531 

13. f 342.630 

14. 5 342.630 

15. § 90.390; f 90.220; 5 78.435 

17. Authorized but not mandated. 3 79.080 

24. 59lA.030(8)@) 

43.070 

F. Personnel Management 

LOUISIANA 

State Code Citation: Louisiana Revised Statutes 1979 (Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. § 33:321; § 33501; § 33:611 

2. 331221; 5 33:1271 

3. Const. Art. 6, !j 5 

4. Const. Art. 6, § 8 

5. 33:341 

6. $ 33:l 

1. § 33:151; 5 33:171; § 33:172; f 33157; J 33155 

2. 0 33:191; $ 33:192 

4. Const. Art. 6, $20 

C. Local Elections 

1. $ 18:402 

4. 8 18:1484 

5. $ 18101 

6. Const. Art. 11, fi 2 

8. 0 18:1300.1; I 18300.2 

9. 0 18101 

1. Q 424.2 

2. §44:1; $ 4431 

3. 5 33:643; § 33:644; 3 33543 

5. p 33553 

6. Const. Art. 6, 5 10; 5 33:1361 

7. Const. Art. 6, 0 10; § 33:1361 

8. S 421102; 5 421153 

9. Const. Art. 12, 0 10 

11. Const. Art. 6, 3 13 

12. Const. Art. 5, § 13 

E. Financial Management 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. $39561 

2. 539561 

3. § 39553 

4. 39:787 

5. I39563 

6. 0 39:1424 

7. 339:1471 

8. Const. Art. 6, § 27; § 332801 

9. Const. Art. 6, I26 

10. 3472321 

11. !j 39:1302; § 39:1304; 5 39:1306; 81 391304 et seq. 

12. Q 39 1302; I 39: 1304; 5 39: 1306; §I 39: 1304 et seq. 

13. $24515 

14. § 33747; 8 382184; 5 38:2253 

15. Legislative auditor may audit books of political sub- divisions, but it is not mandated. B 24513 

18. § 39:1271; § 332955 

21. 391426 

98 

1 

t 

! 

I 
22. f391104 

23. Const. Art. 6, I%, Const. Art. 6, I27 

24. f 39:1302 

25. $24513; § 24:513C 

F. Personnel Management 

1. f 332391; ff 33:2471 et seq.; f 33:2406 

2. §I 33:2531 et seq. 

3. f 23:890; 8 23:890E 

5. f 23:900 

9. If 40:2402 et seq. 

1 10. I§ 40:24Q2 et seq. 

11. Not mandated. f 33:1761; f33:1781 

12. I§ 336101 et seq. 

13. f 23:1034 

14. f 23:1034 

15. f 33:2429 

MAINE 

State Code Citation: Maine Revised Statutes Annotated 1985 

(Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. Only one form is set forth for cities. Title 30A, § 2103 

2. Only one form is set forth for counties. Title 30A, § 61 

3. Const. Art. 8, para. 2, 8 1; Ch. 111, Title 30A, 

4. Title 30A, 0 1301 

1. Municipal boundaries are re-drawn once evey five years. 

Title 30A, f 2851 

2. Title 30A, f 2151; Title 30A, f 2152 

4. Title 30A, f 107 

1. Title 2lA, f 1 

2. Title 30A, f 2526 

4. Applies only to municipalities with a population of 10,ooO 

or more. Title 30a, f 2501 

5. Title 2L4, f 111 

6. Title 30A, f 2529 

7. Title 2L4, f 601, f 602 

9. Title 2lA, f 156 

2 Title 30A, f 1703 

3. Title 30A, f 3002 

4. Title 30A, f 3002 

5. Title 30a, f 2504 

11. Title 30A, f 63 

12. Title 30A, f 2602 

E. Financial Management 

1. Title 30A, 8 5702 

3. Title 30A, I5721 to I5728 

4. Title 30A, $5404 

5. Title 30A, f 5404; Title 30A, f 5772 

7. Title 30A, f 5771 

10. Title 36, f 331 

13. Title 30A, f 5821 

15. A municipality may choose an independent auditor or 

an audit by the state. Title 30A, f 5823 

18. Title 30A, f 5706; Title 30A, f 5711 to f 5716 

22. Title 30A, § 5801 

23. Title 30A, J 701 

25. Title 30A, f 5823 

F. Personnel Management 

2101 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

C. Local Elections 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

3. Title 30A, f 2703; Title 26, f 962; Title 26, f 965 

4. Title 26, f 962; Title 26, f 965 

9. Title 25,s 2805,s 2805A 

13. Title 39, 2, f 21A 

14. Title 39, f 2, f 21A 

MARYLAND 

State Code Citation: Annotated Code of Maryland 1957 (Supp. 1989) 

A. Form of Government 

2. Only one form is set forth for counties. Art. 25, § 1 

3. Const. Art. XI-E, f 3; Art. 23A, $9 

4. Const. Art. XI-A and F; Art. 25A, f 5; Art. 25B, $3 

5. Only one class is provided. Art. 23A, § 10 

6. Art. 23A, 3 20 

1. Art. WA, f 19(b)(c)(d)(g)(h) 

2. Art. WA, f 19A(a)(h) 

4. Art. UA, f SC 

1. Const Art. XVII, § 3 

2. Candidate qualifications are set by charter for primaries. 

Art. 33, f 4A-l(a) 

4. Each local government is required to adopt campaign 

finance disclosure requirements. Art. 40A, 

5. Art. 23B, !j 25; Art. UB, $ l(d) 

7. Art. 33, f 14-l(i) 

9 Art. 33, f 3-3 

1. Art. 23A, f 8; Art. 25, f 5 

3. Method of adoption of ordinances controlled by charter. 

Art. 23B, fj 14 

4. Art. 25, 8 3(r) 

6. Art. WA, f 17D 

11. Art. 17, f 3; Art. 2, f 11 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

C. Local Elections 

6-201 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

2. SG f 0-611(f) 

9. C.J. f 5-401 to $5-404 

E. Financial Management 

1. Art. XI-E, f 5; M. 23A, f 40 

2. Art. 25A, f 5(P); Art. 25B, f 19(e) 

5. Art. 25B, 16 

7. Art. UA, J 31; Art. 25B, § 14 

8. Property tax limits are set by voters. Const. Art XI-E, f 5; 

Art. 23A, $40 

9. Discretionary by legislature. Art. 25B, f 22 

11. Art. 23B, $47; Art. UB, § 48 

13. Art. 19, f 36 

14. Charters set purchasing standards. 

15. Art. 19, f 40; Art. 19, f 40(bXf) 

16. Art. 19, § 40; Art. 19, J 40(b)(f) 

22. Art. UA, f 37; Art. 25B, f 19 

23. State legislature sets rates. f6-302; f 6-303 

25. Art. 19,s 40 

10. T~x-P~o~ f 6-401 

17. Art. 19,s 35; Art. 24, f 1-102 

F, Personnel Management 

1. Discretionary. Art. WA, 8 2(19) 

2. Art. 25, § 3(f) 

10. Art. 41, f 4-201 

11. Discretionary. Art. UB, $71 

12. Discretionary. Art. 25, f 3(g) 

13. Art. 101, 5 21(a)(2) 

14. Art. 101, f 21(a)(2) 

17. Optional. Art. 64A, f 48 

9. ~rt. 41,s 4-201; Art. 3aA, s 42 

15. Art. 33,s 27-1 

MASSACHUSETTS 

State Code Citation: Massachusetts General Law Annotated 

(Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. Art. 41, $ 1; Art. 43A, 

Art. 39, f 1 

3. Const. Amend. Art. 2; Const. Amend. Art. 2, 3 2 

Const. Amend. Art. 2, § 7 

5. Const. Amend. Art. 2, $8 

1; Art. 43, 3 1; Art. 39, $9; 

2. Art. 34A, I 17-1 19 

99 
B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. Art. 3, 3 5 

2. Art. 3, f 5 

C. Local Elections 

4. Ch. 55 

5. Art.51,f 1 

6. Art. 54, § 86 

7. Art. 54, 3 42 

9. Art. 51,137 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. Art. 39, 23B 

2. Art. 39, 23B 

8. Art.268A,§ 1 

9. Art. 84, $15 

11. Art. 34A, 0 18 

12. Art. 41, f 11 

E. Financial Management 

1. Art. 44,f2 

3. Art. 44, f 7; Art. 44, 

7. Art. 44, f 4; Art. 35, 37 

8. Art. 59, I21C 

9. Art. 59, J 21C 

8; Art. 35,s 37A 

10. Ch. 59 

11. b. A public hearing is required if requested by at least tei 

registered voters. Art. 44, 8 32 

12. Art. 35, f 28 

13. Art. 35, 45; Art. 44, f 38 

14. Art. 41, f 104 

15. Art. 44, 40 

16. Art. 35, J 45 

17. Art. 44, J 56,56A 

18. Art. 44, f 55B 

19. Grounds: inability to pay interest or principal on bonds. 

Art. 44, f 19A 

22. Art. 44, 41 

23. Art. 41, If 24 et seq. 

25. Art. 44,s 40; Art. 35, 45 

F. Personnel Management 

1. Art. 31, f 5 

2. Art.31,§5 

3. Art. 150E, J 2; Art. 150E, I 9 

4. Art. 150E, § 2; Art. 150E, § 9 

9. Art. 6, §§ 116 et seq. 

10. Art. 6, §I 116 et seq. 

11. Ch. 32 

12. Ch. 32 

13. Art. 152, 74 

14. Art. 152,s 74 

15. Art. 56, 36-1 37 

MICHIGAN 

State Code Citation: Michigan Compiled Lam Annotated 1948 

(Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

2. The Michigan Constitution authorizes counties to elect 

a charter commission and adopt a new form of government. Const. Art. 7, § 7 

3. Const. Art. 7, f20; Const. Art. 7, I23 § 78.26 

4. Const. Art. 7, $2 

5. 561.2; f 81.1 

6. Proposal must be processed through state boundary 

commission. H 61.2; I81.1 

1. f. Proposed annexation must be approved by state 

boundary commission. §I 123.1001a et seq.; § l23.10011a; 

§ 123.1 

2. $$ 123.1012 et seq.; § 123.1014 

4. §I 124.1 et seq. 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

C. Local Elections 

1. J 168.643 

2. $ 168.321; f 168.381 

4. Ch. 169 

5. 5 168.492 

6. 168.720 

7. J 168.706 

8. 168.852 

9. 168.491 

1. §§ 15.261 et seq. 

2. § 15.231 

3. § 89.1; § 41.184 

5. 168.707 

11. 201.35 

12. 201.37 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

E. Financial Management 

1. 0 110.20; f 78.26 

2. Const. Art. 7, 0 11 

4. f 110.21 

5. I 141.61; f 135.3 

6. § 133.la 

7. J 141.251 

8. $211.203 

1 9. §211.203 

10. Js211.24 et seq. 

11. § 141.434; § 141.412; § 141.436 

12. § 141.434; I 141.412; § 141.436 

13. f 21.41 to f 21.53 

15. f 141.424 

16. 5 141.424 

18. f 331.79 

19. Local emergency financial assistance helps local 

government in financial distress. §§ 141.932 et seq. 

20. Local emergency financial assistance helps local 

government in financial distress. §§ 141.932 et seq. 

21. 5 133.2 

22. 78.26 

23. s211.10d 

F. Personnel Management 

3. §§ 423.201 et seq.; I§ 423.231 et seq. 

4. J§ 423.201 et seq.; §I 423.231 et seq. 

9. §I 28.601 et seq.; §I 29.361 et seq. 

10. $3 28.601 et seq.; §I 29.361 et seq. 

11. § 38.1502; § 38.601; 8 38.551 

12. I38.1502; § 38.601; 8 38.551 

13. 5 418.115 

14. f 418.115 

15. 5 38.419 

MINNESOTA 

State Code Citation: Minnesota Statutes Annotated 1945 

(Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

2. $1 375.01 et seq.; Q 375A.01 

3. Const. Art. 12, $4; 410.04 

4. Const. Art. 12, f 4; $ 373.01; f375A.01 

5. f 410.01 

6. $ 370.01 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. § 414.031; 9 414.09; I414.031 

2. f 414.041 

3. Const. Art. 12, I4 

1. J 205.20; 8 205.07 

2. Const. Art. 7, 0 6 

4. 5 211A.02 

5. 201.014 

6. §§ 203B.001 et seq. 

7. 204B.36 

9. f201.021 

C. Local Elections 

100 

i 
D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. I471.705 

3. $412.191 

4. 8 375.51 

11. $ 382.02 

12 $ 412.02 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

8. 

10. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

22. 

23. 

25. 

E. Financial Management 

(i 475.53 

ij 475.53 

$ 475.52 

§ 475.59 

§ 475.54 

§§ 273.01 et seq. 

$ 6.47 

$471.35 

Registered voters or governing body may petition state 

for an independent post-audit. $6.54; f 6.55 

Governing body may petition state for an independent 

post-audit. § 6.55 

!j 475.66 

$ 6.49; I6.48 

412.251 

273.061 

F. Personnel Management 

1. Optional. 44.02 

9. $ 626.84; $ 299E051 

10. 626.84; 8 299E051 

11. $I 353.01 et seq. 

12. §I 353.01 et seq. 

13. $ 176.04 

14. $ 176.04 

MISSISSIPPI 

State Code Qtation: Mississippi Code 1972 Annotated (Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. 

3. 

$ 21-3-1; $ 21-5-1; 8 21-7-1; $21-9-1; $ 21-8-1 

$ 21-17-5; $21-3-1; $ 21-5-1; f 21-7-1; 8 21-8-1; $ 21-9-1 

5. $ 21-1-1 

6. $ 21-1-1; Const. Art. 14, I260 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. $ 21-1-27; $21-1-33 

2. $ 21-1-43 

4. § 19-3-101; $0 17-13-1 et seq. 

C. Local Elections 

1. $23-15-173; $ 23-15-193 

2 $23-15-309 

4. $23-15-801 

6. $23-15-449 

7. $23-15-265 

9. 23-15-14 

5. !j 23-15-11; Const. Art. 12, § 244; Const. Art. 12, $ 251 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. $ 21-7-9 

2. 8 25-61-5 

4. §21-13-1 

8. 3 25-4-3; $ 25-4-31 

9. 5 11-46-16 

3. §§ 21-13-1 et seq.; $ 21-13-3; I21-13-7 

11. Const. Art. 4, Q 103 

12. Const. Art. 4, $ 103 

E. Financial Management 

1. 

2. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

21-33-303- 

19-9-5 

21-33-307 

19-9-19; $ 21-33-315 

19-9-27; 8 19-9-28; $ 21-33-325; $ 21-33-326 

$ 21-33-315; $ 19-9-19; $ 75-17-101 

Const. Art. 4, $ 112 

Const. Art. 4, $ 112 

10. 21-33-9 

11. $21-35-5; 21-35-9 

12. 19-11-7; 19-11-9 

13. § 19-11-13; 21-35-11 

14. 31-7-101; 31-7-105 

15. f 21-35-31 

17. $21-35-3; 19-11-5 

18. $21-33-323; 19-9-29 

22. 8 19-11-9 

23. 521-33-9 

F. Personnel Management 

1. g21-31-1 

9. B 45-5-3 

10. g45-5-3 

11. 121-29-3 

13. $71-3-5 

14. $71-3-5 

15. $ 21-9-71 

MISSOURI 

(Supp. 1990) 

State Code Citation: Vernon’s Annotated Missouri Statutes 1949 

A. Form of Government 

1. Ch. 78; Ch. 79 

2. $ 65.010 

3. Const. Art. 6, § 19 

4. Const. Art. 6, § 18 

5. J 72.030; $ 72.040; I72.050 

6. f 72.080 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. J 81.080; $82.090 

2. $$ 72.150 et seq.; $ 72.180 

4. Const. Art. 6, § 16; § 70.m 

1. 8 115.121 

2. f 77.230; $ 77.380 

4. 85 130.101 et seq. 

5. 0 115.133 

6. § 115.277 

7. 115.237 

8. § 77.650; § 78.260 

9. 8 115.137 

1. $ 610.010 

2. 610.010 

5. I78.200; I78.573 

9. 71.185 

12. 8 78.080 

C. Local Elections 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. Art. 6, § 26b 

2. Const. Art. 6, I26b 

3. f95.123; $ 95.345 

4. $ 108.040; $ 95.145 

5. $ 95.155 

6. 95.155 

8. Const. Art. 10, 

10, § 12a 

10. $J 137.010 et seq. 

11. Const. Art. 6, 24; $8 67.010 et seq.; f 67.010 

12. Const. Art. 6, f 24; § 50.540 

14. § 50.780; § 50.753 

15. Const. Art. 6,§ 24 

16. Const. Art. 6, § 24 

17. § 50.010 

21. 108.170 

22. 395.330 

23. §81.280 

24. a. 67.010 

25. State audit of local accounts required on petition. 

29.230 

llb; Const. Art. 10, 8 llc; Const. Art. 

101 
F. Personnel Management 

1. 3 85.010 

3. 105.510 

4. § 105.510 

9. 590.105 

25. State can mandate audit of local accounts if statement is not 

filed on time. J 7-6-4113; 2-7-508 

F. Personnel Management 

1. 7-3-4401 et seq.; § 7-3-4264; 7-3-4407 

3. 8 39-31-201 

4. 39-31-201 

5. 39-31-201 

9. 5 7-32-301; § 7-33-2313 

10. $7-32301 

11. 19-9-103; 19-11-105 

13. 39-71-117 

14. 5 39-71-117 

15. 7-3-1254 

10. § 590.105 

11. § 70.600; § 85.350; $§ 87.010 et seq. 

12. § 70.600; § 86.350; §§ 87.010 et seq. 

13. B 287.030 

14. e 287.030 

MONTANA 

State Code Citation: Montana Code Annotated (1989) 

A. Form of Government 

1. 5 7-1-114; f 7-3-4301; 7-3-4202 

2. Q 7-3-201; 7-3-301; 7-3-401; 7-3-501 

3. Const. Art. 11, § 4; §§ 7-3-701 et seq.; § 7-1-4124; Const. 

Art. 11, §5; Const. Art. 11, 0 4 

4. Const. Art. 11, § 4; Const. Art. 11, § 5; §§ 7-3-701 et seq. 

5. 8 7-1-4111 

6. 7-2-4103; 7-2-2202 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. $ 7-2-4601; $ 7-2-4302; 7-2-4314 

3. 3 7-3-1201; f 7-3-1204 

4. Const. Art. 11, § 7 

1. 13-1-104 

2 § 7-4-4401; 8 7-4-2201; J 7-4-2202; 7-4-2701 

4. § 13-37-225 

6. f 13-3-213 

7. 13-17-103 

8. 2-16-603; f 2-16-612 

9. 13-2-601 

C. Local Elections 

5. 5 13-1-111; Const. Art. 4,s 2 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

3. §§ 7-5-101 et seq.; 5 7-5-103 

5. Const. Art. 11,§ 8; §§ 7-5-101 et seq. 

8. This is provided for in the Constitution, but as enacted 

by the legislature, local governments are excluded. 

Const. Art. 13, f 4; 0 2-2-102 

1. $7-1-4144 

2. f 7-1-4144 

4. 57-5-103 

6. 87-5-107 

7. 37-5-107 

9. 07-1-41-25 

11. 0 10-3-603 

12. I 10-3-604; 10-3-603 

E. Financial Management 

1. J 7-7-4201 

2. 7-7-2101 

3. § 7-7-2201; J 7-7-4101 

4. 7-7-105 

5. 0 7-7-2206 

7. § 7-7-2401 

8. 15-10-412 

9. 515-10-412 

10. §§ 15-8 et seq. 

11. § 7-6-4231; §§ 7-6-4201 et seq. 

12. § 7-6-2320; §§ 7-6-2316 et seq. 

13. J 7-6-4205; 7-6-2302 

14. § 7-5-2301; g 7-11-101 

15. 0 7-6-2409 

16. 7-3-1305 

17. 

18. f 7-7-4102 

22. 0 7-7-4261 

f 7-3-1302; § 7-6-2201; J 7-6-4101 

23. Property tax assessment is a county function. 0 15-8-102 

NEBRASKA 

State Code Citation: Revised Statutes of Nebraska (Supp. 1990) 

1. § 14.201; § 15.401; I 16.301; § 17.104; § 17.210; § 19.401 

3. Const. Art. 11, §2; Const. Art. 11, I5 

5. 14.201; 15.401; $ 16.301; § 17.104; 17.210; 19.401 

6. 16-101; 17-101; Const. Art. 9, 1 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

2 § 15-111; §I 17-401 et seq. 

4. Const. Art. 15, $ 8; §§ 13-801 et seq. 

A. Form of Government 

1. 3 16-117; § 17-405; 16-122; 5 17-405 

C. Local Elections 

1. 5 32-4; 146-32-601 

4. §§ 49-1445 et seq. 

5. Const. Art. 6, $ 1; Const. Art. 6, J 2 

8. §§ 32-1401 et seq.; § 32-1403 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

6. 5 32-827 

7. $ 32-428.06 

9. 32-216 

1. §§ 84-1408 et seq. 

2. 84-712.01 

5. $5 18-2501 et seq. 

9. 81 13-906 et seq. 

11. 32-1040 

12. 0 32-4,152 

E. 

F. 

Financial Management 

1. 314-525 

4. 14-527 

9. Const. Art. 8, J 5 

10. Ch. 77 

8. J 14-514; 16-203; 17-702 

11. 5 13-504,s 13-506 

12. 0 13-504; J 13-506 

13. 523-1611 

14. §§ 23-3101 et seq.; $23-3108; § 23-3106 

15. 

17. J 84-701 

22. f 14-517 

19-2901 et seq.; J 19-2905 

16. § 23-1608; 23-1609; 0 23-1610 

18. 77-2315 

23. $ 13-509 

25. § 19-2907; § 23-1610 

Personnel Management 

1. §§ 19-1826 et seq. 

2. §I 23-2501 et seq.; §§ 23-2517 et seq.; §§ 23-1721 et seq. 

9. §§ 81-1401 et seq. 

10. $8 81-1401 et seq. 

12. §§ 23-2301 et seq. 

15. $20-160 

3. 48-838 

4. 48-838 

11. 161001; I 16-1020 

13. § 48-114; 5 48-106 

14. 48-114; 48-106 

102 
NEVADA 

State Code Citation: Nevada Revised Statutes (1987) 

A. Form of Government 

1. 267.020; 269.016; 266.015; 269.024 

2. 244.010; 244.125 

3. 268.005; 266.010; 268.008; 266.010 

4. Ch. 244; 150 et seq.; Const. Art. 8, 3 8 

5. 266.055 

6. 265.010 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. 268.582; 268.586 

4. Ch. 277 

C. Local Elections 

1. 293.630; 293.12755 

2. 244.020; 266.215; 266.170 

4. Ch.294A 

5. 293.485 

6. 293.310 et seq. 

8. Ch. 306; 306.015 

9. 293.660 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

8. 

9. 

3. 

11. 

12. 

241.020 

239.010 

266.115; 266.110 

244.100 

295.085; 295.200 

281.411 

41.0305 et seq. 

288.010; 288.033; 288.190, 288.200 

245.170 

Procedures to fill vacancies are to be set by council. 

266.390 

E. Financial Management 

1. 266.600 

2. 244A.059 

3. 244.230;266.600 

4. 350.070 

5. 244A.715 

6. 350.2011 

7. 354.430 

8. Const. Art. 10, f 2 

9. Const. Art. 10, $2 

10. Ch. 361 

11. 354.596; 354.598 

12. 354.596; 354.598 

13. 354.624 

14. Ch. 332; 332.035; 332.195 

15. 354.624 

16. 354.624 

17. 354.526 

18. 355.170 

19. 354.5988 

20. 354.5988 

22. 350.202 

23. 360.010 

25. State may mandate an audit if local government doesn’t 

do one. 354.624 

F. Personnel Manaeement 

1. 

2. 

4. 

5. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

- 

288.010 

245.213 

288.010; 288.033; 288.190; 288.200 

Strikes are prohibited. 288.230 

216.135; 360.215 

216.135; 360.215 

286.070; 286.293 

286.070; 286.293 

616.090; 616.275 

616.090; 616.275 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

State code Citation: 

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (Supp. 1989) 

A. Form of Government 

1. Ch. 40; 49B2 

3. 49-B; 49-B2; 3139 

4. 23:l 

4. 53-A:1-3 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

C. Local Elections 

1. 653:7 

5. 654:l 

6. 65416 

7. 659:17 

9. 6547 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. 91-A:2 

2. 91-pC4 

9. Sovereign immunity has not been waived by the state. 

29-A: 1 

11. 6619 

E. Financial Management 

1. 33:4-a 

2. 33:4 

3. 33:3; 33~3-b 

4. 33:8 

5. 33:2 

7. 3 1: 10; 3 1: 13 

10. Ch. 76 

11. 32:l et seq.; 325 

12. 24:21; X21-a; X23 

14. 28:8 et seq. 

17. 3194; 31:94-a 

18. Counties. 23: 16; Cities. 3 125 

21. Counties. 28% 

22. 35A:9 

23. 48:12 

25. c. On petition. 21-J:19 

13. 21-J:17 

F. Personnel Management 

3. 273-A 

4. 273-A 

9. 188-F:27; 21-P29 

10. 188-F:27 

11. 100-A; 102; 103 

12. 100-A; 102; 103 

13. 281-A.2 

14. 281-A2 

NEW JERSEY 

State Code Citation: New Jersey Statutes Annotated 

Note: New Jersey townships are considered incorporated municiA. Form of Government 

(SUPP. 1990-1991) 

palities. 

1. 40369A-1 to 10 

3. 40169A-29; 40:69A-30 

4. 40:4lA-1 to 149 

5. 40A:6-4 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

2. 40:43-66.35 et seq.; 4043-66.59 

4. 40.8A-1 et seq. 

1. Const. Art. 2, B 1 

5. Const. -4rt. 2, 8 3 

1. 40A37-12; 40A:7-13 

C. Local Elections 

3. 19:44A-2 

4. 19:44A-16 

6. 1957-3 

103 
7. 1915-28 

9. 1931-1 

1. 10:4-6 

3. 4o:49-2; 40:49-1 

8. 4Q69A-168 et seq. 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

11. 4oA16-1 et seq.; 40A16-4 

12. 4OA16-4 

E. Financial Management 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

21. 

22. 

23. 

25. 

- 4oA2-6 

40A2-6 

40A2-3 

A bond ordinance requires a two-thirds vote of the full 

governing body, with the proviso that the bond 

ordinance may be challenged within 20 days of adoption. 

4OA2-17 

40A:2-26 

MA2-23 

4OA2-8; 40A34-51 

4OA:4-45.2 

40A4-45.2 

54:4-1 

4oA4-3; 40A4-21 to 42; 40Ad8; 4oA4-4 to 10 

4oA4-3; 4oA4-21 to 42; 40A4-8,4oA4-4 to 10 

40A: 11-3; 40A: 11- 10 

4OA.5-4; 4OA:S-5; 4OA.5-6 

4oA5-4; 40A5-5; 4OA5-6 

4OA.1-1; 4OA5-3 

MAS-15.1 

40A.2-27 

4OA2-60 

40k9-146 et seq. 

State will do an audit of local accounts if local unit 

doesn’t do one itself. 40A:5-8 

F. Personnel Management 

1. Cities may adopt a merit system. 1120-1 

2. Counties may adopt a merit system. 1120-1 

10. 4OA14-106.1 

13. 34:15-43 

14. 3415-43 

15. 1k7-2 

NEW MEXICO 

State Code Citation: New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978 

(Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. 8 3-10-1; 8 3-11-1; 8 3-14-1 

3. Const. Art. 10, § 6 

4. Const. Art. 10, 3 5 

6. Const. Art. 10, § 5; § 3-2-2 

B. Altering Boundaries and Resoonsibilities 

1. 183-7-1 et seq.; Q 3-7-17; I 3-7-5; 5 3-7-14; J 3-7-10 

2. 5 3-5-1 

3. §§ 3-16-1 et seq; § 3-16-2 

4. $8 11-2-1 et seq. 

C. Local Elections 

1. 3-8-25 

2. Const. Art. 7,s 2 

5. Const. Art. 7, § 1 

6. 5 3-9-4 

7. 83-8-28 

9. 53-84 

1. 5 10-15-1.1 

2. f 14-2-1 

3. 5 3-17-2; 3-17-4 

4. 3 4-37-6 

11. § 10-3-3 

12. 5 10-3-3 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. Art. 9, 1 12 

2. Const. Art. 9, f 12 

3. Const. Art. 9, § 10; 53-30-5 

4. 53-30-7 

5. 53-31-10 

6. 53-31-10 

8. Const. Art. 8, 2 

9. Const. Art. 8, § 2 

10. Ch. 7Art. 36 

11. §§ 6-6-1 et seq.; I 6-6-2 

12 §§ 6-6-1 et seq.; § 6-6-2 

14. § 13-1-104; 5 13-1-21; W-1-97; 13-1-135 

15. Q 12-6-3; 12-6-5 

16. 8 12-6-3; 4 12-6-5 

17. 56-10-1 

18. J 6-8-9 

24. 06-62 

25. 0 12-6-3 

23. Property tax assessment is a county function. 8 7-36-2 

F. Personnel Management 

1. Optional. § 3-13-4 

9. 9 29-7-6 

10. 529-7-6 

13. 52-1-3 

14. 52-1-3 

NEW YORK 

State Code Citation: McKinney’s Consolidated Laws of New York 

(Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. 23 Art. SJ5, 119-u 

2. Book 11 Art. 4, § 150, I 150-a 

3. Const. Art. 9, f 2 

4. Const. Art. 9, § 2 

6. Village I 2-UK) 

1. General Municipal § 700; 5 703; 5 705; § 713 

2. Village § 18-1806, Town I 79(b)O 

4. Const. Art. 9, 8 l(c) 

1. Election 5 8-100; Town I80; Election § 15-100 

2. Title 63, Art. 3, § 300 

4. Election $3 14-100 et seq. 

5. Const. Art. 2, 8 1; Election 5 5-102 

6. Election 8 15-100 

7. Election 8 7-104 

9. Const. Art. 2, § 5 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. Public Officials 8 100 

2. Public Officials § 106 

8. General Municipal I§ 810 et seq.; 3 813 

9. Book 11, Art. 2, f 53 

11. County § 400 

12. Public Officials 0 43 

E. Financial Management 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

C. Local Elections 

1. Const. Art. 8,s 4; Local Finance 8 15.20 

2. Const. Art. 8, f 4; Local Finance 8 15.20 

3. Const. Art. 8, § 2; Local Finance 5 10-100 

4. Local Finance 35,s 31 

5. Local Finance 5 21 

6. Local Finance f 57 

7. Local Finance 8 2 

8. Const. Art. 8, I 10 

9. Const. Art. 8, J 10 

10. Real Property Tax §§ 500 et seq. 

12. County I§ 354 et seq.; § 355, § 359,§ 360 

13. General Municipal 8 36 

14. General Municipal I§ 100 et seq.; 5 101; § 103-(la); § 104 

15. General Municipal §I 30 et seq. 

104 
16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

22. 

23. 

25. 

General Municipal §§ 30 et seq. 

Common fiscal year set for counties, towns, and villages. 

County $ 352; Town § 101; Village 

General Municipal $ 11 

Special provisions for New York City. Pub. A. §§ 3030 

et seq. 

General City $ 20 

Real Property Tax $ 500 

General Municipal I 35 

5-500 

F. Personnel Management 

3. Civ. S. §I 200 et seq. 

4. Civ. S. §§ 200 et seq. 

9. General Municipal 8 209q; General Municipal I 209(w) 

10. General Municipal $ 209q; General Municipal § 209(w) 

11. General Municipal 207(e) 

12. General Municipal § 207(e) 

13. Workmen’s Compensation 3 2(3) 

14. Workmen’s Compensation $2(3) 

NORTH CAROLINA 

State Code Citation: General Statutes of North Carolina 

(Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. 6 160A-101: 6 153A-58 

2. Only one fork of county government is authorized. 

6 153A-58 

3. Home rule is very limited. Const. Art. 7, 1 

4. Home rule is very limited. Const. Art. 7, I 1 

6. 9 120-167; $ 120-166 

B. Altering Bondaries and Responsibilities 

1. 3 160A-31; $ 160A-3l(g); 160A-31(~) 

2. 3 153A-401; 153A-405 

3. 3 153A-401; J 153A-405 

4. 316OA-460 

C. Local Elections 

1. 

2. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

9. 

$163-1; $ 163-279 

$ 163-294.w) 

3 163-278.8ff. 

Const. Art. 7, !j 4; 3 163-55 

Absentee voting is not required for local elections. 

Municipal corporations may use county registration 

records. § 163-63; $ 163-71 

$ 163-302 

3 163-170 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. $ 143-318.10 

4. $ 153A-45 

6. $ 16OA-77 

2. f 1326 

7. State law does not require the codification of county 

ordinanceshesolu tions. 

9. 0 153A-435; $ 160A-485 

11. $ 153A-27.1 

12. f 160A-63 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. Art. 5, I 4; § 159-54 

2. Const. Art. 5, §4; I 159-54 

4. Const. Art. 5, § 4 

6. Interest ceilings are set by a Local Government 

Commission. § 159-65 

3. 159-48 

5. 8 159-122 

8. $ 16OA-209 

9. f 153A-149 

10. $ 105-284 

11. 

12. 

13. $ 159-26 

15. 3 159-34 

16. $ 159-34 

$ 159-11; $ 159-13; $ 159-12 

$ 159-11; $ 159-13; 3 159-12 

17. 3159-8 

18. J 159-30 

22. § 159-7 

23. $ 105-284 

24. 159-13 

F. Personnel Management 

1. $ 126-1; $ 16OA-162 

2. State law does not require counties to adopt a merit 

system. $ 126-1 

3. Prohibited. $95-98 

4. Prohibited. $95-98 

5. Prohibited. I95-98.1 

9. $16OA-289 

10. $ 17A-7 

12. 97-2 

13. $ 97-2 

14. $ 97-2 

15. 0 126-13 

11. Not required. 3 160A-163 

NORTH DAKOTA 

State Code Citation: North Dakota Century Code Annotated 

1985 (Supp. 1989) 

A. Form of Government 

1. 40-086; 40-04.1; 40-05.1; 40-10; 40-09 

2. Const. Art. 7, §6; 11-08; 11-09 

3. Const. Art. 7, 5 1; 40-05.1-01; 40-05.1-06 

4. 11-09.1-01 et seq.; 11-09.1-01; 11-09.1-05 

6. 40-02-01; 11-02-01 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. f. Proposed annexation must be approved by the annex- ation review commission. 40-51.2-01 et seq.; 

’ 40-51.2-03; 40-51.2-08; 40-51.2-11; 40-51.2-13 

2. 40-53.2-01 et seq.; 40-53.2-03 

C. Local Elections 

1. 40-21-02; 16.1-13-01 

4. 16.1-08.1-01 et seq. 

5. Const. Art. 5 8 1; 40-21-01 

6. 40-21-13 

7. 16.1-13-25; 16.1-13-26 

8. 44-08-21 

9. b. Local governing body may require separate registration. 

40-21-10 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. Const. Art. 11, $5 

2. Const. Art. 11, $6 

3. 40-11-01 et seq.; 40-11-02; 40-11-03 

5. 40-12-01 

9. 40-42-01 et seq. 

11. 44-02-04 

12. 40-13-08 

E. Financial Management 

1. 21-03-04; Const. Art. 10, § 15 

2. 21-03-04; Const. Art. 10, $ 15 

3. 21-03-06 

4. 21-03-07 

5. 21-03-08 

6. 21-03-08 

7. 21-02-02 

8. 57-15-08 

9. 57-15-06 

10. 57-02-01 et seq. 

11. 40-40-01 et seq.; 40-40-05; 40-40-06; 40-40-04 et seq. 

12. 11-23-01; 11-23-02; 11-23-04 

14. 44-08-01 

15. 54-10-14 

16. 54-10-14 

17. 40-40-03 

21. 21-03-25 

18. 21-04-01 et seq. 

105 
22. 21-03-42 

23. 40-14-04; 4-14-05; 11-10.1-05 

25. 54-10-14 

1. 40-44-01 

9. 12-62-08 

10. 12-62-08 

11. Optional. 40-46-01; 54-52-01; 40-45-01 

12. 54-52-01 

13. 65-01-02 

14. 65-01-02 

15. 44-08-19 

E Personnel Management 

OHIO 

State Code Citation: Baldwin's Ohio Revised Code Annotated 

(Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. 705.1; 705.51; 705.71 

2. 302.02 

3. Const. Art. 18, 0 3; Const. Art. 18, § 7 

Ch. 715; Ch. 717 

4. Const. Art. 10, § 1; Const. Art. 10, I3 

302.12; 302.01 

5. Const. Art. 18, 5 1 

6. 707.02; 707.04 

1. Ch. 709; 709.02; 709.031; 709.033 

3. 709.44; 709.45 

4. 715.02; 307.15 

1. Const. Art. 17, 0 1 

2. 705.12; Const. Art. 15, 0 4 

4. 3517.10 

5. Const. Art. 5, § 1; 3503.01 

6. 3509.01 

7. 3513.041 

8. 705.92 

9. 3503.11 

1. 121.2 

2 149.43 

3. 731.17; 731.19 

4. 305.08; 305.10 

5. 705.91; 731.28 

8. Ch. 102 

9. 307.44; 307.441 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

2. 709.44; 709.45 

C. Local Elections 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

11. 305.02 

12. 705.42; 705.52 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20. 

E. Financial Management 

133.05 

133.07 

Ch. 133 

133.18 

133.20 

133.26 

133.24 

Const. Art. 12,§2; 5705.02 

Const. Art. 12, 5 2; 5705.02 

Ch. 5713 

705.17 

5705.28 

Purchasing requirements are mandatory for counties, 

but optional for cities. 715.18; 302.13; 307.86 

117.38 

117.38 

9.34 

Ch. 135 

Ch. 118 

Ch. 118 

22. Const. Art. 8, J 7; Ch. 739 

23. Ch. 5703 

25. 117.13 

1. 124.40 

2. 124.40 

9. 109.71; 124.42; 737.08; 737.23; 117.44 

F. Personnel Management 

10. 109.71; 117.44 

11. Ch. 145 

12. Ch. 145 

13. 4123.01 

14. 4123.01 

15. 124.57 

OKLAHOMA 

State Code Citation: Oklahoma Statutes Annotated 1988 (1990 Supp.) 

A. Form of Government 

1. Art. 11, § 9-101; Art. 11,s 10-101; Art. 11,s 11-101; 

Art. 11, J 12-101 

3. Art. 18, 8 2; Art. 18, 

5. Art. 11, § 1-102 

6. 

3(a); Art. 11, § 18-101 

Art. 19, 8 11; Art. 11, J 2-101 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. Art. 11, f 21-101; Art. 11,s 21-105; Art. 11,s 21-103; 

Art. 11, Q 21-104 

2. Art. 11, 6-101 

4. Art. 74, § 1001 

1. Art. 26, § 1-101 

2. Art. 11,s 16-109 

5. Art. 26, § 4-101 

6. Art. 26,s 14-101 

9. Art. 26, 5 4-102 

1. Art. 25, §§ 30 et seq. 

2. Art. 51, $3 24A.1 et seq. 

3. Art. 11, $ 14-102; Art. 11,s 14-104 

9. Art. 51, §I 151 et seq. 

C. Local Elections 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

5. Art. 11, f 15-103 

11. Art. 11, J 8-109 

12. Art. 19, $449 

E. Financial Management 

1. Art. 10, § 26 

2. Art. 10, § 26 

4. No referendum required, but bonds must be approved 

by attorney general. Art. 62, f 415; Art. 62, § 425 

5. Art. 62, f 353; Art. 62, $ 411; Art. 62, !j 421 

6. Art. 62, 498.1 

10. Art. 68, $2475 

11. Cities are not required to adopt an annual operating 

budget, but if they do, they must meet the conditions 

specified. Art. 11,s 17-206; Art. 11, C 17-208; Art. 11, 

12. Counties are not required to adopt an annual operating 

17-209 

budget, but if they do, they must meet the conditions 

specified. Art. 19, $ 1401; Art. 19, 

Art. 19, $ 14W 

13. Art. 19, 1405 

14. Art. 19, 15OO;Art. 19, 31501;Art. 11, $11-116;Art. 11, 

5 10-116 

16. Art. 19, 117.5 

17. Art. 10, $ 1 

18. Art. 62, 9 348.1 

19. State established antirecession fiscal assistance fund. 

Art. 62, 278.2 

21. Art. 62, §§ 351 et seq. 

22. Art. 62,s 431 

23. Art. 68, $2457 

25. Audit of county accounts mandated in counties over 

1411; Art. 19, $ 1412; 

15. Art. 11, 5 17-105 

106 
200,OOO population; authorized in cities on petition by 25 

percent of the voters. Art. 74, f 212 

F. Personnel Management 

1. Art. 11, f 12-114; Art. 11, 10-120 

3. Art. 11, H 51-103; Art. 11, § 51-106 

5. Strikes’by public.employees are prohibited. Art. 11, 

551-101 

9. Art. 70,s 3311; Art. 11, f 52-101 

10. Art. 70, f 3311; Art. 19, f 1500 

13. Art. 85, § 3; Art. 85, f 2b 

14. Art. 85, f 3; Art. 85, f 2b 

15. Art. 11, f 22-101.1; Art. 11, 11-123 

11. Art. 11,s 49-100.2; Art. 11, J 50-101 

OREGON 

State Code Citation: Oregon Revised Statutes 1989 

A. Form of Government 

1. Only one form of government for cities is authorized. 

221.120 

3. Const. Art. 4, f 1; Const. Art. 11, f 2; Const. Art. 11, f 13; 

221.410 

4. Const. Art. 7, f 10; 203.010 

6. 221.031 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. 222.111; 222.120; 222.210 

2. 222.210; 222.260 

3. a. Referendum required only in most populous city. 

199.735; 199.715; Const. Art. 11, 5 2a 

4. 190.007 et seq. 

C. Local Elections 

1. 254.035 

2. 203.230; 204.016; 221.907 

4. 260.058 et seq. 

5. Const. Art. 2, Q 2 

6. 253.040 

7. 254.500 

8. 249.865 et seq 

9. 247.012 

1. 221.908 

2. 192.420 

3. 221.912 

4. 203.045 

5. 250.155; 250.255 

8. 244.020; 244.040; 244.350 

9. 30.265 

11. 198.320; 236.210 

12. 222.904 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. 

2. 

4. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

21. 

22. 

23. 

25. 

E. Financial Management 

287.004; 221.410 

Const. Art. 11, f 10 

287.056 

288.520 

287.047 

Const. Art. 11, Q 11 

Const. Art. 11, f 11 

Ch. 308 

294.305 et seq.; 294.352; 294.430; 294.416; 294.418 

294.305 et seq.; 294.352; 294.430; 294.416; 294.418 

294.445 

279.011 et seq.; 279.021 

297.425; 297.425(6); 297.425 

297.425; 297.425(6) 

Established for local governments having the power to tax 

294.3 11( 13) 

294.035 

288.805 et seq. 

288.520 

306.005 

297.030 

F. Personnel Management 

3. 243.650; 243.742 

4. 243.650; 243.742 

5. 243.726 

6. This is required at the state level only. 243.305 

9. 181.640; 476.030; 476.815; 476.850 

10. 181.640; 306.150 

13. 656.023 

14. 656.023 

PENNSYLVANIA 

(Supp. 1990) 

State Code Citation: Purdon’s Pennsylvania Statutes Annotated 

Note: Pennsylvania’s diverse statutory scheme, due to numerous 

forms of local government, makes it difficult to consolidate information for the purposes of this study. The answers givenreflect general trends, and there are exceptions to most items 

checked or left unchecked. 

A. Form of Government 

1. Title 53,f 1-501; f 1-601; f 1-701; § 1-801; f 1-901 

2. Const. Art. 9, 4 

3. Const. Art. 9, Q 2 

4. Const. Art. 9, $2 

5. Title 53, f 101 

1. Const. Art. 9, f 8; Title 53, 5% 171 et seq.; Title 53, f 172; 

Title 53, f 174 

2. Const. Art. 9,f 8; Title 53, I 221 . 4. Title 53, $481; Const. Art. 9, I5 

1. Const. Art. 7, f 3 

2. Title 53, f 36201 

4. Title 25, f 3246 

5. Const. Art. 7, f 1 

6. Title 7, f 14; Title 25, 2602 

9. Title 25, f 623-21 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

C. Local Elections 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20. 

107 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. Title 65, ff 271 et seq.; Title 53, f 12527 

2. Title 65, f 66.1 

3. Title 53, f 12526 

4. Title 16, f 509 

6. Title 53, Q 41609 

10. Title 53, f 22331; Title 53, $5 22332 et seq. 

11. Title 16, I409 

12. Title 25, f 2778.1 

E. Financial Management 

b. Debt limits are calculated using - a formula Title 53, 

f 6780-52; Const. Art. 9, I 10 

b. Debt limits are calculated using a formula Const. Art. 9, 

§ 10 

Title 53, § 6780-2 

Title 53, I6780-103 

Title 53, § 6780-252 

Title 53, f 5403 

Title 72, 4750.322 

Title 72,s 4750-322 

Title 72, QQ 5020.1 et seq. 

This varies depending on the type or class of local 

government. 

Title 16, f 1781 

Title 53, 

Townships and boroughs are required to prepare an audit. 

Title 53, f 56003; Title 53, f 46041 

Title 16, f 1720; Title 16, § 1721 

Title 16, f 1780; Title 53, f 25651 

Title 53, Q 5410; Title 16, f 1706 

Provisions are made for financially distressed municipalities. Title 53, $5 11701.101 et seq. 

Provisions are made for financially distressed counties. 

Title 53, ff 11701.101 et seq. 

5432; Title 53, f 5431 
21. Title 53, § 6780-301 

22. Title 53, J 6780-451 

23. Title 72, $ 5010.1 

F. Personnel Management 

1. Title 53, $3 12621 et seq.; Title 53, $ 22188; Title 53, 

$I 23431 et seq.; Title 53, $I 23491 et seq.; Title 53, 

§ 30451; Title 53, § 39402 

2. Title 16, $0 42221.1 et seq. 

3. Title 43, $8 1101.101 et seq.; 

4. Title 43, $$ 1101.101 et seq.; Title 43, 1101.801 

9. Title 53, $5 740 et seq. 

10. Title 53, $0 740 et seq. 

11. Optional. Title 53, $ 881.107 

13. Title 77, $ 22; Title 77, I701 

14. Title 77, $ 21; Title 77, $ 701 

RHODE ISLAND 

State Code Citation: General Laws of Rhode Island (Supp. 1990) 

Note: This state does not have functional county government. 

A. Form of Government 

1. $ 45-3-1 

3. Const. Art. 13, $ 1; $ 45-2-1; $8 45-2-1 et seq. 

4. $$ 45-40.1-1 et seq. 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

C. Local Elections 

1. $45-3-1 

4. 

2. Const. Art: 3, J 2 

5. Const. Art. 2, 8 1; $ 17-1-3 

6. Const. Art. 2, $2; I 17-6-4 

Const. Art. 4, $9; $ 17-25-1 to 5 17-25-29 

9. $ 17-9-19 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. $ 42-46-2 

2. $38-2-3 

5. Town meeting form of government satisfies this 

provision. 

8. Const. Art. 3, § 8; §I 36-14-1 et seq.; § 36-14-19; 

$ 36-14-14 

9. 9-31-1 

12. $ 45-4-16 

E. Financial Management 

1. 

4. 

7. 

8. 

10. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

17. 

18. 

22. 

23. 

- $ 45-12-2 

$ 45-12-18 

$ 44-5-2 

J 45-10-5.1 

f 37-2-7; $ 45-5-2 

J 45-10-4; $45-10-6; $ $45-10-5 

$ 35-2-2 

$ 35-10-11 

$ 45-12-8 

f 44-5-2 

Bond issues must be authorized by state statute. f 45-12-19 

$I 44-5-1 et seq. 

F. Personnel Management 

3. $ 28-9.5-4; 5 28-9.2-7 

9. $ 42-28.2 

13. 9 28-29-6 

11. Optional. See $ 45-21-4 

SOUTH CAROLINA 

State Code Citation: South Carolina Code Annotated (1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. $ 5-5-10 

2. $49-20 

3. 

4. Const. Art. VIII, $ 7; $ 4-9-10; $ 4-9-30 

6. $ 5-1-30 

Const. Art. VIII, $ 9; $ 5-5-10; J 5-7-10 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. 

2. $ 5-3-30 

4. $ 5-7-60; $ 6-1-20 

$ 5-3-20; $ 5-3-150; $ 5-3-70; $ 5-3-80 

3. Const. Art. VIII, $ 12 

C. Local Elections 

1. $ 7-13-10 

2. Const. Art. XVII, $ lA 

4. $ 7-11-230; $ 8-13-620 

5. I 7-5-110 to $ 7-5-120 

6. $7-15-320; $7-13-1020 

7. $7-13-1120 

9. $7-5-160 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. $ 30-3-10 

2. $ 30-3-10 

3. $ 5-7-270 

4. $4-9-120 

7. $ 4-9-120 

8. 

9. $ 15-78-40; $ 15-78-60 

10. $ 51-15-200 

11. $4-11-20 

12. $ 5-7-200 

$ 8-13-20; $ 8-13-1010; $ 16-9-1010 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. Art. X, J 5 

2. Const. Art. X, $ 5 

3. Const. Art. X, $ 6 

4. $4-9-30; $ 5-21-220 

5. 54-15-70; $ 5-2-340 

7. $ 11-17-20 

13. $ 11-3-180 

14. 4-9-170 

15. $ 5-7-240 

16. f 4-9-150 

17. 64-9-14 

10. Title 12 Chapter 37 

18. 11-1-50 

22. $5-21-400; $4-15-150 

23. Property tax assessment is a county function. $ 12-37-90 

1. Optional, except for grant-in-aid agencies existing in 1962. 

F. Personnel Management 

f 8-17-110; $ 8-19-10 

2. Required only for grant-in-aid agencies existing in 1962. 

$8-19-10 

6. $ 1-13-10 to $ 1-13-110 

9. $ 23-23-40; $ 12-37-110 

10. $23-23-40 

13. f 42-1-130 

14. I 42-1-130 

SOUTH DAKOTA 

State Code Citation: South Dakota Codified Laws 

1985 Revision (Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

3. Const. Art. 9, $2 

4. Const. Art. 9, 8 2 

1. Ch. 9-8; Ch. 9-7; Ch. 9-9 

5. 9-2-1 

6. Ch. 9-3; 9-3-1; 9-3-2 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. 

2. Ch. 9-5; 9-5-5 

Ch. 9-4; 9-4-1; 9-4.4.2; 9-4-4.4; 9-4-4.7; 9-4-5 

4. Const. Art. 9, $ 3 

C. Local Elections 

1. 9-13-1; 12-2-2 

2. 9-7-1; 9-8-1; 9-9-2 

4. Municipal government may choose to come under the 

state campaign finance disclosure pmvisions. 12-25-6.1 

5. Const. Art. 7, $ 2; 12-3-1 

108 
6. Const. Art. 7, g 3; Ch. 12-19 

8. 9-13-30; 9-13-31 

9. 12-4-1 

1. 1-25-1 

2. 1-27-1 

3. 9-19-7; 9-19-6; 9-19-5; 9-19-9 

4. Ch. 7-18A 

5. 7-18A-11 

9. Ch. 9-24 

11. 3-4-4 

12. 9-8-2 9-9-6 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. Art. 13, I4 

2. Const. Art. 13, g 4 

4. 6-8B-2 

5. 6-8B-9 

6. 6-8B-12 

7. 6-8B-26; 9-21-17 

8. 10-12-8 

9. 10-12-8 

10. Ch. 10-6 

11. Ch. 9-22; 9-10-15; 9-21-2 

12. 7-21-2; 7-21-6 

14. 

15. 4-11-4 

16. 7-10-4 

17. 9-21-1; 7-21-1 

18. 6-8B-54 

21. 6-8B-10 

22. 6-8B-54 

23. 10-6-25.2 

25. 4-11-4 

3. 3-18-1 

4. 3-18-1 

9. Ch. 23-3 

10. Ch. 23-3 

Ch. 5-18; Ch. 5-19; 7-28-1 

E Personnel Management 

11. Optional. 9-16-1; 3-12-67 

12. Optional. 3-12-67 

13. 62-1-2 

14. 62-1-2 

TENNESSEE 

State Code Citation: Tennessee Code Annotated (1990 Supp.) 

A. Form of Government 

1. Title 6, Chapters 1, 18,30 

2. Const. Art. 7,s 1; 5-1-203; 5-15-101 

3. Const. Art. 11, Q 9 

4. Const. Art. 11, J 9 

6. Const. Art. 10, J 4 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilitie 

1. Title 6, Chapter 51; 6-51-102 

2. 6-51-401 

4. 12-9-101; 5-1-113; 5-1-114 

C. Local Elections 

1. 2-3-202 

2. 5-5-102; 6-53-109 

4. 2-10-105 

5. 6-53-102 

6. 2-6-102 

7. 2-5-219 

8. 6-53-108; 6-31-301 

9. 2-2-105 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. 8-44-102 

2. 10-7-503 

3. 6-20-215 

4. 5-1-211 

6. 6-2-102 

9. 29-20-201 

10. Impeachment applies to state officials only. Const. Art. 5, I4 

12. Const. Art. 7, J 2 

11. 6-53-107 

E. Financial Management 

4. 9-21-207 

5. 9-21-213 

7. 9-21-501 

10. Title 67, Chapter 5 

11. 6-56-203; 6-56-206 

12. 5-12-109; 5-12-108 

13. 5-8-501 

14. 6-56-304 

15. 6-56-101 

16. 8-15-101 

17. Common fiscal year established for counties. 5-12-105 

18. 6-56-106; 6-56-107 

21. 9-21-302 

23. 6-55-601; 6-55-604 

F. Personnel Management 

1. 6-35-403; 6-35-405 

9. 38-8-102; 4-24-201; 67-1-509 

10. 38-8-102; 67-1-509 

11. Cities are not required to establish a retirement system, 

but all that do so must meet the conditions specified. 

12. Counties are not required to establish a retirement 

system, but all that do so must meet the conditions 

specified. 8-35-201; 8-35-217; 8-35-203 

8-35-201; 8-35-217; 8-35-203s 

13. 50-6-106 

14. 50-6-106 

15. 6-35-413; 6-21-106 

17. Discretionary. 6-35G “Cafeteria plan” is authorized. 

8-25-305; “Profit-sharing” is authorized. 8-25-301 

TEXAS 

State Code Citation: VTCA, Local Government Code 1988 

(Supp. 1990) except where otherwise noted 

A. Form of Government 

1. 22; 24;25; 26 

3. Const. Art. 11, § 5; 26.021 

5. 5.901 

6. 5.901; Const. Art. 9, J 1 

B. 

C. 

D. 

Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. 43.023; 43.024; 43.052 

2. 61.001; 61.004 

4. Vernon’s Ann Civ St. Article 4413(32c) 

1. VTCA Elections Code 41.001 

2. VTCA Elections Code 141.001; 141.00 

3. VTCA Elections Code 253.002 

4. VTCA Elections Code 254.031; 254.061 

5. VTCA Elections Code 11.001 

6. VTCA Elections Code 81.002 

7. VTCA Elections Code 146.021 

9. VTCA Elections Code 11.003 

Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. Vernon’s Ann. Civ. St. Article 6252-17 

2. 201.008 

3. 52.001 et seq 

6. Not required. 53.001 

8. Code of Ethics doesn’t apply to local governments. 

Vernon’s Ann. Civ. St. 6252-9b 

9. VTCA Civ Prac. & Rem. 101.001; 101.021 

Local Elections 

11. VTCA Local Government 87.041; 87.042 

12. 22.010; 23.002; 24.026; 26.043 

1. Vernon’s Ann. Civ. 835k-I 

3. Vernon’s Ann. Civ. 823 

E. Financial Management 

109 
4. Vernon’s Ann. Civ. 701 

5. Vernon’s Ann. Civ. 823; 717k-2 

6. Vernon’s Ann. Civ. 835r 

8. VTCA Tax 26.05(c) 

9. VTCA Tax 26.05(c) 

10. VTCA Tax 26.05(a) 

11. VTCA Local Government 102.002; 102.003; 102,006 

12 111.003; 111.033; 111.004; 111.034; 111.007; 111.038 

13. Vernon’s Ann. Civ. St. 1113b 

14. 252.001 et seq; 262.001 et seq; 252.021; 262.0233 

15. 103.001 

16. 115.022 

17. Common fiscal year established for counties. 112.010 

22. Vernon’s Ann. Civ. 707 

23. Tax 6.21; 6.22 

E Personnel Management 

1. 141.033 

3. Vernon’s Ann. Civ. 5154c-1 

4. Vernon’s Ann. Civ. 5154C-1 

5. Strikes by public employees are prohibited. Vernon’s 

Ann. Civ. 5154c-1(2) 

7. Municipal residence requirement specifically prohibited. 

150.021 

9. Gov. 415.010; 416.007 

10. Gov. 415.010 

12. Discretionary. Gov. 842.001; Vernon’s Ann. Civ. 6ZBd 

13. Vernon’s Ann. Civ. 830931 

14. Vernon’s Ann. Civ. 8309h 

15. Law doesn’t apply to local governments. Vernon’s Civ. 

Ann. St. 6252-9f 

UTAH 

State Code Citation: Utah Code Annotated 1986 (Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. 10-1-104 

2. 17-35a-14; 17-5-81; 17-35a-15.5 

3. Const. Art. 11, § 5 

4. 1743 

5. 10-2-301 

6. 10-2-102.6 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. 10-2-415; 10-2-416 

2. 10-2-601; 10-2-610 

3. 17-35a-1 

4. 11-13-1 et seq. 

C. Local Elections 

1. 17-16-6; 20-1-1 

2. 20-5-9; 10-3-301 

4. 10-3-208 

5. 20-5-6 

6. Optional. 20-5-54 

7. 20-5-37 

9. 20-2-11 

1. 10-3-601 

2. 10-30603 

3. 10-3-704 

4. 17-15-1 

5. 20-11-21 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

6. Optional. 10-3-707 

8. 10-3-1301 et seq.; 10-3-1310 

9. 63-30-1 et seq. 

11. 17-5-21 

12. 10-3-302 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. Art. 14, 8 4 

2. Const. Art. 14, I 4 

3. 11-14-1 

4. 11-14-2 

5. 11-14-14 

7. Const. Art. 14, 3 3; 11-14-14; 17-4-4 

8. 10-6-133 

10. 59-2-301 et seq. 

11. 10-6-101 et seq.; 10-6-110; 10-6-113; 10-6-114 

12. 17-36-1 et seq.; 17-36-10; 17-36-13 

13. 10-6-107; 17-36-7 

14. 17-36-20 

15. 10-6-150; 51-2-3 

16. 17-36-39; 51-2-1; 51-2-3 

17. Cities 10-6-105; Counties 17-36-3 

18. 51-7-1 et seq. 

23. Property tax assessment is a county function. 59-2-301 

22. 11-14-17.5 

24. 10-6-117; 17-36-17 

25. 51-2-3.3 

F. Personnel Management 

2. 17-33-1 et seq. 

3. 34-20a-1 et seq.; 34-2Oa-9 

4. 34-20a-1 et seq.; 34-20a-9 

9. 67-15-1 et seq. 

10. 67-15-1 et seq. 

1. 10-3-1001; 10-3-1002 

11. 49-3-203; 49-4-204; 49-5-204 

12. 49-3-203; 49-4-204; 49-5-204 

13. 35-1-42 

14. 35-1-42 

15. 17-33-11 

VERMONT 

State Code Citation: Vermont Statutes Annotated (Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. In the absence of a municipal charter providing 

otherwise, the town meeting form of government is the 

standard form. Title 17, § 2630, § 2640, § 2646. A town 

manager may be hired by the town selectmen if 

authorid by the people in a referendum. Title 24, 1231 

et seq. Also, the town clerk, selectmen, and justices 

residing in a town constitute the board of civil authority. 

Title 24, § 801, § 871, § 872 

2. Only one form of government is authorized for counties. 

Title 24, $8 131 et seq. 

2. Title 24, §§ 1421 et seq.; Title 24, J1 1481 et seq.; Title 24, 

I 1426 

4. Title 24, 8 4901 

1. Title 17, I2640; Const. Ch. 11, § SO 

2. Title 17, 0 2646; Title 24, I 1233 

4. Title 17, 5 2821; Title 17, 5 2822 

5. Title 17, 2121 

6. Title 17, $5 2531 et seq. 

9. Title 17, $ 2121 

1. Title I, §§ 311 et seq. 

2. Title 1, 5 312 

5. Town meeting form of government satisfies this provision. 

9. Title 29, 1403 

11. a. Vacancies are filled by the governor, after 

recommendations are submitted by the political party of 

the vacating officer. Title 17, 5 2623 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

C. Local Elections 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

E. Financial Management 

1. Title 24, 3 1762 

3. Title 24, 5 1753 

5. Title 24, § 1759 

6. Title 24, $ 1759 

7. Title 24, 1773 

10. Title 32, 5s 4601 et seq. 

13. Title 24, 3 1575 

14. Title 29, § 952 

15. Town auditors are required to prepare an annual audit 

report. Ch. 24, I 1681; Citizens may petition for an 

110 
independent audit. Ch. 24, § 1690 

17. Title 24, f 1683 

21. Title 24, f 1765 

23. Title 32, Q 3761 

E Personnel Management 

3. Title 21, f 1721 

4. Title 21, J 1721 

9. Title 24, I 1936; Title 20, I2358 

10. Title 24, J 1936; Title 20, f 2358 

13. Title 21, I601 

14. Title 21, f 601 

VIRGINIA 

(1990 Supp.) 

State Code Citation: Code of Virginia 1989 Rept. Volume 

A. Form of Government 

1. 15.7-37.4; 15.1-917; 15.1-921; 15.1-925 

2. 15.1-669; 15.1-588; 15.1-122 

3. 15.1-13 

5. 15.1-965.16 

6. 15.1-967 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. 15.1-10322; 15.1-1032 et seq.; 15.1-1034; 15.1-1033 

2. 15.1-1099; 15.1-1103 

3. 15.1-1130.1 

4. 15.1-20.1 

C. Local Elections 

1. Const. Art. VII, f 4 

4. 24.1-257 

5. 24.1-41 

6. 24.1-227 

7. 24.1-217 

9. 24.1-41 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. 2.1-343 

2. 42.1-76 et seq.; 2.1-342 

6. Not required. 15.1-37.3 

7. Not required. 15.1-37.3 

10. Impeachment is limited to state officials. Const. Art. IV, 

§ 17 

4. 15.1-504 

12. 15.1-816 

E. Financial Management 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

21. 

22. 

23. 

25. 

Const. Art. VII, f 10, 15.1-176 

Optional. 15.1-185.1 

15.1-185; 15.1-175 

15.1-180 

15.1-200 

2.1-326.1; 15.1-200 

15.1-222 

58.1-3200 

58.1-3200 

58.1-3280 

15.1-160; 15.1-161; 15.1-162 

15.1-160; 15.1-161; 15.1-162 

2.1- 167 

11-35 et seq.; 11-35; 11-47; 11-40 

Common fiscal year established for cities. 15.1-13.2; 

15.1-167 

15.1-167 

15.1-159.8 

2.1-328 

15.1-205 

2.1-327 

58.1-3370 

Local governments must contract for an annual audit. 

Auditor of public accounts must perform an audit at 

least one every two years. 15.1-167; 2.1-165 

F. Personnel Management 

1. Cities are not required to adopt a full merit system, but 

they are required to adopt a job classification and an 

employee grievance procedure. 2.1-116; 15.1-7.1 

2. Counties are exempt. 2.1-116 

11. Required only for cities over 5,ooO population. 51.1-800 

12. Required only for counties over 5,000 population. 

13. 65.1-4 

14. 65.1-4 

17. Not mandated. 15.1-7.3 

9. 9-180 

10. 9-180 

5 1.1-800 

WASHINGTON 

State Code Citation: Revised Code of Washington Annotated 

1950 (1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. 35.17.370; 35.18.230; 35A.12.010 et seq 

2. Only one form of county government is authorized. 

Const. Art. 11, f 5 

3. Const. Art. 11, § 10; 35.21.010 

4. Const. Art. 11, $4; Const. Art. 11, § 4 

5. 35.01.010 to 35.01.040 

6. Const. Art. 11, !i 3; 35.21.010 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. 35.13.030; 35.13.015; 35.13.070; 35.13.001 

2. 35.10.410 

3. Const. Art. 11, 16 

4. 39.34.010 et seq. 

1. 29.13.010 

2. 35.23.030; 35.27.080; 35.24.030; 35A.12.030 

3. 42.17.070 

4. Requirement applies only to candidates in cities and 

counties with more than 5,000 registered voters. 42.17.080 

5. Const. Art. 6, 1 

6. 29.36.010 

7. 29.04.180 

8. 29.82.010 et seq. 

9. 29.07.010 

1. 42.30 et seq. 

3. 3527.290; 35.23.300; 35.21.570 

5. 35.17.230 et seq. 

6. Optional. 35-21-510 

8. 42.23.010 et seq.; 42.23.050 

9. 35.31.010 to 35.31.070; 36.45.010 to 36.45.040 

10. Impeachment applies to state officials only. Const. Art. 5, 2 

11. Const. Art. 11, f 6 

12. 35A.08.050; 35.27.140; 35.23.240; 35.24.100 

E. Financial Management 

C. Local Elections 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

111 

Const. Art. 8, § 6 

Const. Art. 8, I6 

Const. Art. 8, § 6 

b. Referendum is required only for bonds exceeding the 

debt limit. 35.37.050 

35.45.020; 35.41.030 

39.50 et seq. 

84.52.050; 36.40.090 

84.52.050; 36.40.090 

84.40 et seq. 

Cities must adopt a biennial budget. 35.34.010; 35.34.070; 

35.34.110; 35.34:120 

36.40 et seq.; 36.40 070; 36.40.071 

43.09.200 

36.32.240 

This requirement applies to commission form of city 

government. 35.17.170 

An audit is required to be conducted by the county 

auditor. 36.22.060; 36.29.020 

- 
3. 

4. 

7. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

17. 1.16.030; 35A.21.170 

18. 39.59.010 et seq. 

22. 35.37.010 

23. 36.21.020 

41.56.010 

F. Personnel Management 

41.56.010 

Cities may require residence by ordinance. 35.21.200 

43.100.110 

43.100.110 

This is mandatory for first class cities and optional for all 

others. 41.20.005; 41.44.50 

41.20.005 

51.12 et seq. 

5 1.12 et seq. 

WEST VIRGINIA 

State Code Citation: West Virginia Code Annotated 1966 

(1990 Repl. Vol.) 

A. Form of Government 

2. Const. Art. 9, 9; Const. Art. 9, § 13 

3. Const. Art. 6, § 39(a); § 8-12-2; § 8-3-2; § 8-3-9; § 8-4-7; 

6. I 8-2-1; Const. Art. 9, § 8 

1. §§ 8-6-1 et seq.; § 8-6-2; I 8-6-4 

1. 8-3-2 

§ 8-12-2 

5. Q 8-1-3 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

2. S 8-8-1; 8-8-3 

4. 8 8-23-1; 8-23-3 

C. Local Elections 

1. 0 8-5-5; 8 3-1-17 

5. 3-2-2 

6. 3-3-13 

9. 53-2-19 

4. § 3-8-5a 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. 3 6-9A-2 

3. 58-11-4 

2. §§ 29B-1-2 et seq. 

6. Not mandated. 5 8-11-4@) 

8. 6B-1-1; 61-54-1 et seq. 

10. Impeachment applies to state officials only. 

Const. Art. 4, § 0 9 

11. § 3-10-7 

12. 8-3-9 

E. Financial ManaEement 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

21. 

22. 

23. 

Const. ~rt. lo, I 8 

Const. Art. 10, § 8 

Const. Art. 10, § 8 

Const. Art. 10, § 8 

Local government bonds are specifically exempt. 

§ 13-1-la 

Const. Art. lo,§ 1 

Const. Art. 10, 5 7 

§I 11-3-1 et seq. 

5 13-1-2 

I 6-9-2 

0 7-1-11 

8-13-18; 6-9-7 

5 6-9-7 

2-2-4 

13-1-21 

§8-13-22a; § 12-6-1 

§ 7-3-9; I§ 13-3-1 et seq. 

Const. Art. 10, § 7 

F. Personnel Management 

1. § 8-14-6; J 8-15-11; § 8-5-12 

2. 

10. 

11. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

7-14-1 

7-7-14; 7-7-2 

Not mandated. 8-22-1 

J 23-2-la 

I23-2-la 

f 8-15-24; 8-14-19; § 7-14-15 

Local government exempt from “equal pay for 

equal work” requirement. 21-5B-1 

Authorized but not mandated. 3 7-5-20 

WISCONSIN 

State Code Citation: West’s Wisconsin Statutes Annotated 

(Supp. 1990) 

A. Form of Government 

1. Ch. 62; 64.25 et seq.; 64.01 et seq. 

2. Only one form of county government is authorized. 

59.001 

3. Const. Art. 11, 13; 66.01 

4. 59.025 

5. 62.05; 66.011; 66.015 

6. 66.014; 66.016; 66.015 

1. 66.021; 66.021(2Xa); 66.021(7); 66.021(5) 

2. 66.02 

4. 59.083 

C. Local Elections 

1. Ch. 10 

2. 64.09 

4. 11.01 

5. Const. Art. 3, f 1; 6.02 

6. 7.15 

7. 5.58 

2. 63.01 

8. 9.10 

9. 6.27; 6.275 

1. 59.04; 19.81 et seq. 

2. 19.35 

5. 66.01 

9. 62.25; 893.80 

11. 17.21 

12. 17.23 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. Art. 11, 8 3 

2. Const. Art. 11, § 3 

3. 67.04 

4. 67.05 

5. 67.07 

7. 67.12 

10. Ch. 70 

11. Ch. 65; 65.04; 65.05 

12. 65.90 

15. The state requires certain financial information to be 

reported. 73.10 

16. The state requires certain financial information to be 

reported. 73.10 

17. 62.12 

18. 219.01 

22. 67.11 

23. 70.05 

F. Personnel Management 

1. 63.18; 63.11 

3. 111.70; 15.587 

4. 111.70; 15.587 

9. 165.85; 38.12; 111.71 

10. 165.85; 111.71 

13. 102.02; 102.07 

14. 102.03; 102.07 

112 
WYOMING 

State Code Citation: Wyoming Statutes 1977 (Supp. 1990) 

1. I 154101; 0 154201 

3. Const. Art. 13, § 1 

A. Form of Government 

5. § 15-3-101 

6. Const. Art. 12, J 2; J 18-1-303 

B. Altering Boundaries and Responsibilities 

1. $8 15-1-402 et seq.; 3 15-1-403; I 15-1-405 

2. Const. Art. 13, !j 1 

4. 16-1-101 

C. Local Elections 

1. 22-2-104; Const. Art. 6, 17 

2. Const. Art. 6, 0 15 

4. 622-25-106 

5. konst. Art. 6, § 2; 0 22-1-102&); J 22-3-102 

6. S22-9-105 

7. a 22-13-110; § 22-6-120; J 22-23-304 

9. J 22-3-101 

D. Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1. 16-4-401 

2. 8 16-4-201 

3. 15-1-115 

9. 15-1-104 

11. 22-18-111 

12. 22-18-111 

5. §§ 22-23-1001 et seq. 

E. Financial Management 

1. Const. Art. 16, § 5 

2. Const. Art. 16, f 3; Const. Art. 16, I 4 

4. $5 22-21-101 et seq. 

5. 154220 

8. Const. Art. 15, 6 

9. Const. Art. 15, J 5 

10. Const. Art. 15, I 11; I§ 39-2-301 et seq. 

11. I§ 16-4-101 et seq.; § 16-4-104; 9 16-4-109; 3 16-4-111 

12. §§ 16-4-101 et seq.; § 16-4-104; § 16-4-109; § 16-4-111 

3. 8 15-4-220 

13. 8 16-4-120 

14. $ 15-1-113; 15-6-202 

15. f 16-4-121; J 16-4-122 

16. JI 16-4-121; 4 16-4-122 

17. § 15-2-31; 3 15-4-212 

18. 94831 

22. Q 154217 

23. 5 39-2-301 

F. Personnel Management 

1. 15-5-102 

2. J 15-5-102 

3. 8 27-10-101; 27-10-105 

4. J 27-10-101; J 27-10-105 

9. 9-1-704 

10. 8 9-1-704 

11. J 15-5-201; 15-5-301 

12. 8 15-5-201; 0 15-5-301 

13. 27-14-102 

14. 27-14-102 

15. Q 15-5-116 

113 
114 
E 

Survey Questions for 1978 and 1990 

When first conducted in 1978, this study of state laws governing 

local government structure and administration surveyed the following areas: 

Form of Government 

1 and 2. Are optional municipal charters or optional forms of 

county government set forth in general law? 

3 and 4. Do local governments have home rule authority? If so, 

does it allow them to determine their own form of government? Does 

it give them broad or limited powers of self-government? 

5. Does state law distinguish between “classes” of cities? How 

are these classes determined? 

6. Does state law impose limitations on the incorporation of new 

governmental units? What types of limitations are imposed? 

Annexation and Consolidation 

1. Does state law allow cities to annex adjacent property? What 

2 and 3. Is consolidation of cities or of cities and counties 

4. May cities and counties contract with one another for the 

method of annexation is authorized? 

permitted? How is it effected? 

provision of services? 

Local Elections 

1. Does state law establish a common election date for city 

elections andlor for county elections? 

2. Are qualifications of candidates for local elections established 

by general law? 

3 and 4. Are campaign expenditures of candidates for local office 

limited by state law? Are there state-imposed campaign financing 

disclosure requirements? 

5. Are voter qualifications for local elections established by state 

law? 

6 and 7. Are local governments required to allow absentee 

voting in local elections? Write-in votes? 

8. Is there a procedure for initiative, referendum, and recall of 

local elected officials set forth in state law? 

Administrative Operations and Procedures 

1 and 2 Is there a “sunshine law” in effect requiring local 

governments to conduct open meetings and to maintain open records? 

3 and 4. Is there a state-mandated procedure for adoption of 

local ordinances and resolutions? If so, what is required? 

5. Does state law authorize initiative and referenda on local 

6 and 7. Is the codification of local ordinances andlor resolutions 

8. Are local elected officials subject to a state-imposed code of 

9. Has sovereign immunity for local government torts been 

ordinances? 

required? 

ethics? If so, what penalties are provided for? 

waived by the state? 

Financial Management 

1 and 2. Is there any constitutional or statutorylimitation on the 

3. Are there any limitations on the purposes for which such debt 

4. Is a referendum required before general obligation bonds may 

5 and 6. Is there any maximum bond life for such bonds 

7. Is there any state regulation over short-term borrowing? Is 

8 and 9. Is there any constitutional or statutory limitation on the 

10. Is the method of property tax assessment set by state law? 

11 and 12. Are cities required to adopt an annual operating 

budget? Are counties? 

13. Are local governments required to follow uniform accounting procedures as either set forth in state law or established by state 

agency? 

14. What controls on purchasing are imposed? Is competitive 

bidding on all purchases of a designated type or over a specified 

monetary amount required? Is cooperative purchasing in conjunction with other governmental units authorized? 

15. Does state law require cities and counties to conduct an 

independent post-audit? 

16 and 17. Is there a common fiscal year for all local 

governments? 

18. Is the investment of idle funds by cities and counties limited 

by state law? 

amount of debt that may be incurred by cities? Counties? 

may be incurred? 

be issued? 

established by state law? Is there an interest ceiling? 

prior state approval necessary for short-term debt? 

amount of property tax that may be levied by local governments? 

Personnel Management 

1 and 2. Are local governments required to adopt a merit 

system? A job classification and pay plan? An employee grievance 

procedure? 

115 
3, 4, and 5. Is collective bargaining with public employee 

representatives authorized? Is binding arbitration provided for? Are 

strikes allowed? 

6. Does state law require local governments to adopt an 

“affirmative action” plan? 

7 and 8. Are city/county employees required to reside within the 

city/county limits? 

9 and 10. What personnel training requirements are imposed on 

police officers? Firemen? Other personnel of the city or county? 

11 and 12 What requirements are imposed with respect to 

retirement plans for city and county employees? Are local 

governments obligated to establish their own retirement system or to 

participate in the state system? 

13 and 14. Are city and county employees covered by workmen’s 

compensation? 

15. Is political activity by city and county employees prohibited 

by state law? 

Several new questions were added to the 1990 version of this report, 

some as a result of a “critics session” held at the US. Advisory 

Commission on Intergovernmental Relations in October 1990. The new 

questions are as follows 

Local Elections 

9. Does state law establish voter registration procedures for 

local elections? Does one registration suffice for all elections, or 

must a voter register separately for local elections? 

Administrative Operations and Procedures 

10. Is impeachment of local officials authorized? Under what 

authority (Constitution or statute)? Are grounds and procedures 

specified? 

11 and 12. Does state lawestablish aprocedure to fill vacancies in 

elected county offices? In elected city offices? 

13. Does state law authorize state “takeover” of administration 

of local government? 

14. Does state law require partisan representation on local 

boards and commissions? 

Financial Management 

19 and 20. Does state law authorize the state to “take over” the 

financial administration of a county or city in the face of bankruptcy, 

vacancies in office, etc.? If so, on what grounds? By what procedure? 

21 and 22. Does state law provide for the marketing of local 

bonds? For a sinking fund for local debt service? 

23. Is property tax assessment a state or local function? [This is a 

companion question to E8.1 

24. Does constitutional or statutory law mandate a balanced 

budget for cities? Counties? 

25. Does state law authorize or mandate a state audit of local 

accounts for cities? For counties? Under what conditions? 

Personnel Management 

16. Does state law mandate that local governments adopt “equal 

pay for equal work” pay plans? “Comparable worth” plans? 

17. Does state law mandate specific benefits (e.g., health 

insurance, family leave, day care, or other) for local government 

workers? 

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