Local Government in Georgia Vocabulary- Teni A. and Jack W.

Term

Word Definition

Example
County

Small sections of the state to

carry out certain tasks

Gwinnett, Forsyth

Board of

A group of elected people to

lead the county

Camden County

In weak, the legislature has

more power, the mayor is just a
figurehead. In strong, the
mayor has more power.

Strong- Atlanta

Splost

Special-purpose-local-optionsales-tax, approved by citizens

for special projects

Roads, bridges

Municipality

A city with its own government

Savannah, Atlanta, Suwanee

Ad valorem taxes

Local property taxes

Land, buildings, home

User fees

Paid by citizens for services

Garbage collection, libraries

Sales tax

Tax added on by the county to

state tax

Clothes, food

Bond issues

Voters approve government to

raise money for public project

Schools, libraries

Income tax

Tax for salary/income from

work

Tax from jobs

Property tax

1$ for each 1000$ of property

value

5$ for 5000$ of property

Fgure Head

Head of organization but has

no power

Queen of England

Commissioners
Weak vs. Strong
Mayor