Jump to content

Special district (United States): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→Examples: - one red link, + one blue link
These are minor changes to bring this into accord with my area of expertise - the classification of domestic governments. The views are mine and do not necessarily represent the views of any agency.
Line 1: Line 1:
A '''special-purpose district''', also known as a '''special district''', is a type of [[district]] differing from '''general'''-purpose districts like [[municipality|municipalities]], [[county|counties]], etc., in that they only serve one or a few special purposes and do not provide a broad array of services. They are common in the [[United States of America]], whose 29,000 districts play an important role in providing government services in every [[U.S. state]] but [[Alaska]].<ref>Osborne M. Reynolds, Jr., ''Handbook of Local Government Law'', 2nd ed. (St. Paul, MN: West Group, 2001), 29-31.</ref>
There are two types of special-purpose districts in the United States: school districts and special districts. This is a type of [[district]] differing from '''general'''-purpose districts like [[municipality|municipalities]], [[county|counties]], etc., in that they only serve one or a few special purposes and do not provide a broad array of services. They are common in the [[United States of America]], where more than 35,000 districts play an important role in providing government services in every [[U.S. state]]. The U.S. Census Bureau keeps counts and data on these districts.


Special-purpose districts provide specialized services only to those persons who live within them. They are empowered to tax residents of the district, usually by a [[property tax]] but sometimes a [[sales tax]], for the services that they provide. They often cross the lines of towns, villages and hamlets, but rarely cross city or county lines.
Special-purpose districts provide specialized services only to those persons who live within them. Special districts possess fiscal and administrative autonomy. They often are empowered to tax residents of the district, usually by a [[property tax]] but sometimes a [[sales tax]], for the services that they provide. They often cross the lines of towns, villages and hamlets, but less frequently cross city or county lines. Increasingly, however, regional special districts are being created that may serve a large portion of a state.


Districts are created by legislative action or public referendum, and contain a district board which operates the district. The board serves as a district [[board of directors]] and is usually elected by popular vote. The board serves primarily as a legislative board and appoints a [[chief executive]] for day to day operations and decision making and policy implementation. It also retains a token judicial function in dealing with employee disciplinary matters.
Districts are created by legislative action, court action, or public referendum, and contain a district board which operates the district. The board serves as a district [[board of directors]] and may be appointed by public officials, appointed by private entities, popularly elected, or elected by benefitted citizens (typically property owners). Sometimes, one or more public officials will serve ex officio on the board. Also, the board of a private entity may serve as the board of a special district (however, such a board could not be given the power to set a tax) The board serves primarily as a legislative board and appoints a [[chief executive]] for day to day operations and decision making and policy implementation. Most districts have employees, but some districts exist solely to issue bonds.


Districts typically have some corporate powers. They must be able to set their own budget without line item modification by another government. The authorizing legislation may give them the power to tax, issue bonds, or set fees; AND/OR the authorizing legislation may establish revenues via taxes or fees on behalf of the district; AND/OR the authorizing legislation may require contributions by participating local governments.
Districts should not be confused with [[authority|Public Authorities]] which are organizationally similar, but are usually required to be financially self-supporting through fees and services rendered charges. In some jurisdictions, special districts are known as management authorities.


A good example of a special-purpose district would be a [[school district]]. Special districts are sometimes created to provide [[firefighter|fire protection]], [[sewer]] service, [[public transport|transit service]] or to manage [[water]] resources. In many states in the USA, [[school district]]s manage the schools. These districts are usually much more flexible than more geographically determined municipalities. All special-purpose districts are formed by some level of government in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and exist in all states.
Special districts are sometimes created to provide [[firefighter|fire protection]], [[sewer]] service, [[public transport|transit service]] or to manage [[water]] resources, among many other possible functions. In many states in the USA, [[school district]]s manage the schools (as opposed to dependent school systems, which are dependent on the state or a local government for administrative and/or fiscal direction). Special-purpose districts are usually much more flexible than more geographically determined municipalities. All special-purpose districts are founded by some level of government in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and exist in all states.


==Types==
==Types==

Revision as of 15:31, 2 December 2006

There are two types of special-purpose districts in the United States: school districts and special districts. This is a type of district differing from general-purpose districts like municipalities, counties, etc., in that they only serve one or a few special purposes and do not provide a broad array of services. They are common in the United States of America, where more than 35,000 districts play an important role in providing government services in every U.S. state. The U.S. Census Bureau keeps counts and data on these districts.

Special-purpose districts provide specialized services only to those persons who live within them. Special districts possess fiscal and administrative autonomy. They often are empowered to tax residents of the district, usually by a property tax but sometimes a sales tax, for the services that they provide. They often cross the lines of towns, villages and hamlets, but less frequently cross city or county lines. Increasingly, however, regional special districts are being created that may serve a large portion of a state.

Districts are created by legislative action, court action, or public referendum, and contain a district board which operates the district. The board serves as a district board of directors and may be appointed by public officials, appointed by private entities, popularly elected, or elected by benefitted citizens (typically property owners). Sometimes, one or more public officials will serve ex officio on the board. Also, the board of a private entity may serve as the board of a special district (however, such a board could not be given the power to set a tax) The board serves primarily as a legislative board and appoints a chief executive for day to day operations and decision making and policy implementation. Most districts have employees, but some districts exist solely to issue bonds.

Districts typically have some corporate powers. They must be able to set their own budget without line item modification by another government. The authorizing legislation may give them the power to tax, issue bonds, or set fees; AND/OR the authorizing legislation may establish revenues via taxes or fees on behalf of the district; AND/OR the authorizing legislation may require contributions by participating local governments.

Special districts are sometimes created to provide fire protection, sewer service, transit service or to manage water resources, among many other possible functions. In many states in the USA, school districts manage the schools (as opposed to dependent school systems, which are dependent on the state or a local government for administrative and/or fiscal direction). Special-purpose districts are usually much more flexible than more geographically determined municipalities. All special-purpose districts are founded by some level of government in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and exist in all states.

Types

Examples

See also

References

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Special_district_(United_States)&oldid=91600547"