Spot on! Mrs. C. Local government is where political power begins and ends! If people really want to make a difference, local government is the place to go. There is no end of local government entities in which people can make a difference, lobby, run for office or monitor.
Local government is not small, or inconsequential by any means or measure. In 2023, local governments spent $4 trillion on public services and goods alone. .
Since everyone has a unique aptitude, interest, or expertise in something, here are a few nationwide examples of local government .
In the U.S. there are 3,031 county governments, and 35,705 municipal/city governments.
America’s 97,568 public schools are governed by 12,546 school districts, 571 county-run school systems, and 227 municipal-run school systems. Each public school district has anywhere from 4 to 45,000 students enrolled.
• There are 95,000 elected school board members in America.
o School boards vary from 3 to 25 members.
o School board members spend 0 to 40 hours a month on board business.
• 75% of school boards are un-paid, volunteer positions.
o School board members of the largest school districts are paid $42,570 up to $125,000 a year.
o Many school districts provide health insurance for board members and their families (a cost around $18,000. a year for each board member).
• The average public school teacher salary is $69,597.
o Starting pay for new teachers averages $44,530.
• School district superintendent annual salaries range from $100,297 to $149,159
o $106,493 is the average pension payment for retired school district superintendents each year.
Hold on, cause we’re not done. In the U.S., local government also includes 39,262 special districts. Note: Homeowner associations (HOA) are NOT special districts. HOA’s incorporate as non-profits, so they work under non-profit rules and do NOT have governing power in the U.S.
Special districts are created to perform a specific function, or set of functions, including policing, municipal electricity, water, transportation, insect abatement, ditches, healthcare, tourism, soil, public theatres and auditoriums, hospitals, libraries, industry, fire protection, levees, cemetaries, sewage systems, parks, lighting, waste disposal, railroads, turnpikes, parking, ports, ocean and river fronts and beaches, etc. and so on and on and on.
• Special districts are run by elected board members who have the authority and the power to tax, pass bonds, borrow and invest taxpayer dollars, and make decisions.
• Special districts also employ people, establish and manage pension plans, and purchase equipment, buildings, office space, land, technology and various systems necessary to perform their function.
• Local, state or federal governing bodies are legally required to include special districts in their decision-making process. In turn, special districts provide city, county, state and federal officials with local expertise.
Every local government agency welcomes volunteers so that is a great place to start figuring out where you fit in, and learn.
