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[B]American local government structure.

[SIZE="4"] Introduction:[/B][/SIZE]
The United States of America is a federal republic. It is divided into 50 independent federating units generally called states. States have their own constitution and they are free to make any law according to their needs and traditions. However federal laws have priority over state laws in areas where they disagree.
The United States government has three layers, federal government at the national level, state government and local governments. The federal government is given some specific powers in constitution, such as national defense, creating money, foreign relations. All other powers and duties such as sanitation, education, transportation, medical services, business, regulating property are reserved to the state and local governments.
In each state there is an elected head of the executive branch, called the governor, an independent judiciary and a popularly elected legislative branch. Local governments include cities, counties, towns, school districts and municipal government; they govern such matters as local natural resources or transportation networks.
[B]Structure of local government:[/B]
Federal constitution of US does not mention local governments. Local governments are the creatures of states, so these are structured in accordance with the laws of the various individual states. Typically each state has at least two separate levels: counties and municipalities. Some states have their counties divided into townships or special districts to meet the need of their population. And municipalities are also further divided into different categories. Although the types and nature of the municipal entities varies from one state to other according to their mass density. In a few states, there is only one level of local government. There are also often local or regional special districts that exist for specific purposes, such as to provide fire protection, sewer service, transit service or to manage water resources.
In most states, county and municipal governments exists side-by-side. In some states, a city can, either by separating from its county or counties or by merging with one or more counties, become independent of any separately functioning county government and function both as a county and as a city. In many states, counties exist only to designate boundaries for such state level functions. Municipal governments are usually administratively divided into several departments, depending on the size of the city.

[B]Types of local government:
[/B]The constitutions of various states differ in many respects but to some extent they follow the same pattern as like local government structure. Local governments in the United States are grouped into the following categories.
[B]
Municipal government:[/B]
Generally corresponding to an area rather than one of a set of areas into which a county is divided. City governments are chartered by states, and their charters detail the objectives and powers of the municipal government. But in many respects municipal or city government function independently from state.
Types of municipal governments vary from one state to another. However, almost all have some kind of central council, elected by the voters, and an executive officer, assisted by various department heads, to manage the city's affairs. In few states both counties and municipal governments exist side by side.
There are three general types of municipal government: the mayor council, the commission, and the council manager. These are the pure forms; many cities have developed a combination of two or three of them
[B]Mayor Council:[/B]
This is the oldest form of city government in the United States. A mayor council city government consists of an elected mayor and a number of council members. The mayor appoints heads of city departments and other officials. He or she has the power of veto over ordinances, the laws of the city and frequently is responsible for preparing the city's budget. The council passes city ordinances, sets the tax rate on property, and allocates money among the various city departments. In some states the mayor may given a larger policy making role, and responsibility for day-to-day operations is delegated to him.
[B]The Commission:[/B]
The commission form of city government, also known as the Galveston Plan. This combines both the legislative and executive functions in one group of officials, usually five or seven number, elected city-wide. Each commissioner supervises the work of one or more city departments. One is named chairperson of the body and is often called the mayor. Commissioners are responsible for taxation, appropriations, ordinances, and other general functions.
[B]Council/City Manager:[/B]
The council manager is a response to the increasing population and growing number of cities, which require management expertise not often possessed by elected public officials. This form of government was established to entrust most of the executive powers, including law enforcement and provision of services, to a highly trained and experienced professional city manager. Under this system an elected council of usually five to nine members makes the city ordinances and sets policy, but hires a paid administrator, also called a city manager, to carry out the policies. The manager draws up the city budget and supervises most of the departments. Usually, there is no set term; the manager serves as long as the council is satisfied with his or her work. Though, the city manager is recognized as the political head of the municipality, but is a member of the legislative body and does not have the power to veto legislative actions.

[B]County government:[/B]
The county is a subdivision of the state. County governments are organized local governments, authorized in state constitutions and statutes and established to provide general management in a region. 48 out of 50 states are divided into counties (while Parishes in Louisiana, and boroughs Alaska). In areas lacking a municipal or township government, the county government is generally responsible for providing all services.
The county is a subdivision of the state, usually but not necessarily containing two or more townships and several villages. New York City is so large that it is divided into five separate counties. While Arlington County & Virginia, are governed by a unitary county administration. In most counties one city or town is designated as county seat, where the government offices are located and where the important meetings held. In small counties, boards are chosen by the county as a whole; in the larger ones, supervisors represent separate districts or townships.
[B]Sub County general purpose governments:[/B]
In most Midwestern and Northeastern states, counties are further subdivided into townships or towns. Municipal and township governments are distinguished primarily by the historical circumstances surrounding their formation.
[B]Township governments:[/B]
Township governments are organized local governments, to provide general government for a defined area, generally corresponding to one divided area of a county. Township will consist of Mayor and 3 to 5 elected committee members. The committee members will act as the legislative body. The officials are all local residents of this township, elected by the township citizenry, and always available to talk with their constituency. The Township Committee may delegate, by ordinance, all or a portion of executive responsibilities to an appointed administrator.
[B]School districts:[/B]
School districts are organized local entities providing public elementary, secondary, and higher education which, under state law, have sufficient administrative and fiscal autonomy to qualify as separate governments. An elected or appointed board of members looks after the district functions.

[B]Special districts:[/B]
Special districts are all organized local entities. A special district may serve areas of multiple states as compare to other type of governments who can serve only in some specific area to qualify as a separate government. Special districts are widely popular, to perform special functions like fire protection district, flood control district, transportation district.