The different forms of Government in Charlotte-

MecklenburgComité de la Comunidad Inmigrante –2019

• Federal• State• Mecklenburg County • City of Charlotte• CMS

How many governments are there?

What does the federal government do?

• Identification: Passports for its residents

• Law Enforcement: FBI, CIA, US Marshalls, ICE, etc.

• Taxes: income, employment• Other: citizenship, visas

What does state government do?

• Identification: Driver ’s license• Law Enforcement: ALE, highway Patrol, SBI• Taxes: sales, vehicle• Otro: Departament of Labor, State Court

Local government oversightIn North Carolina, local governments operate under authority granted by individual State statutes (Dillon’s Rule)

What do city and county governments do?

• Identification: Birth and Death certificates(County)

• Law Enforcement: Sheriff (County), CMPD (City)

• Taxes: sales, property• Other: airport (City), parks (County), jail

(County)

Local government responsibilities

Mecklenburg County• Health• Mental Health• Social Services• Sheriff/Jails• Park and Recreation• Environment• Library• CPCC• CMS• Economic Development

(County)

City of Charlotte• Police• Fire• Water/Sewer• Roads• Solid Waste• CATS• Airport• Zoning• Housing & Neighborhood

Services• Economic Development

(City)

What form of government does Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte have? (Q3)

VOTERSCOUNCILMANAGERDEPARTMENT HEADS

council-manager organizational structure

Roles and ResponsibilitiesCouncil-Manager form of government• City Council makes policy decisions and provides direction to the City Manager• City Manager implements and

administers those decisions History of Form• Early 19th-20th century movement to rid municipalities of spoils system and

implement scientific methodProfessional Managers:• Are trained in the business of managing government and its resources• Maintain political neutrality • Bring a community-wide perspective to policies and programs.• Work with elected officials to develop policies and programs• Manage government staff, budgets, programs, and projects• Ensuring laws and policies are enforced fairly and government runs ethically

and transparently

Roles and Responsibilities

Mayor• Ceremonial head of government• Presides over City Council meetings• Generally, only votes in case of a tie• Has veto power

Mayor Pro Tem• Selected by City Council • In absence of the Mayor, possesses all of the powers of the Mayor with the

exception of veto power

Roles and Responsibilities ContinuedCity Council• Legislative body, responsible for approving all policies and ordinances

before they become law• Appoints the City Manager, City Clerk and City Attorney • Supports communication, engagement, and representation

City Manager • Administrative head of the City government • Directs and supervises all City departments• Appoints and directs all City employees with the exception of those

appointed by the Council • Makes policy recommendations• Prepares/submits the annual operating budget and Community

Investment Plan

Thank you!

Federico RiosHousing & Neighborhood Services

federico.rios@charlottenc.gov704.651.4661