All the states are divided into counties (referred to as boroughs in Alaska and parishes in Louisiana) though only a portion of Alaska is so divided. Connecticut and Rhode Island have completely eliminated county government, and Massachusetts has partially eliminated it. These can exist both for the implementation of the state government's policies, and also as local governments in there own right. The locality that houses the county’s main offices is known as the county seat. Municipalities are generally formally incorporated entities in built-up areas. They usually operate with a degree of autonomy.
Both types of government often operate in the same area, albeit with different responsibilities. Generally in heavily urbanized areas the city government will have considerable powers, with the county government conversely having relatively few (or even none).
Unlike in some other countries, both types of government often have powers to tax both local residents and businesses and to incur public debt. In some areas this means the power to raise a local income tax. County governments in some states also have the ability to add a percentage to the state sales tax. In California, Proposition 13, a 1978 amendment to the state constitution, strictly limits the taxation power of municipalities. Responsibilities of county governments generally include local highway maintenance as well as the provision of refuse collection and recycling facilities in unincorporated areas. Municipal governments are usually responsible for public safety (policing and the fire department).In most states county and municipal governments exists side-by-side. There are exceptions to this, however; in Virginia, for example, a number of major urban areas exist as independent cities, which exist outside the county framework; similarly, some states have merged city and county governments for some of their biggest cities (examples of this are Carson City in Nevada and San Francisco in California). In Connecticut, Rhode Island, and parts of Massachusetts, counties exist only to designate boundaries for such state-level functions as park districts (Connecticut) or judicial offices (Massachusetts). In areas lacking an incorporated municipal government, the county government is generally responsible for providing all services.
Both types of government often operate in the same area, albeit with different responsibilities. Generally in heavily urbanized areas the city government will have considerable powers, with the county government conversely having relatively few (or even none).
Unlike in some other countries, both types of government often have powers to tax both local residents and businesses and to incur public debt. In some areas this means the power to raise a local income tax. County governments in some states also have the ability to add a percentage to the state sales tax. In California, Proposition 13, a 1978 amendment to the state constitution, strictly limits the taxation power of municipalities. Responsibilities of county governments generally include local highway maintenance as well as the provision of refuse collection and recycling facilities in unincorporated areas. Municipal governments are usually responsible for public safety (policing and the fire department).In most states county and municipal governments exists side-by-side. There are exceptions to this, however; in Virginia, for example, a number of major urban areas exist as independent cities, which exist outside the county framework; similarly, some states have merged city and county governments for some of their biggest cities (examples of this are Carson City in Nevada and San Francisco in California). In Connecticut, Rhode Island, and parts of Massachusetts, counties exist only to designate boundaries for such state-level functions as park districts (Connecticut) or judicial offices (Massachusetts). In areas lacking an incorporated municipal government, the county government is generally responsible for providing all services.
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