Local authorities in USA

councils -местный совет
ballot – cекретное голосование
Suffrage- голосование
recourse - использование
Encounter-сталкиваться с чем-либо
sewer service-система канализации
plowing snow- уборка снега
school curricula учебная программа
abide –придерживаться чего-либо (закона)
law enforcement personnel -сотрудники правоохранительных органов
Boroughs- райны
County governments- окружные органы власти
Designation-наименование

EUROPEAN CHARTER OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT 1985
Local self-government denotes the right and the ability of local authorities, within the limits of the law, to regulate and manage a substantial share of public affairs under their own responsibility and in the interests of the local population.

FUNCTION

On November 11, 1620, passengers aboard the Mayflower fleeing English religious persecution drafted and signed a civil contract to abide by when they reached the new world.

Case in point: colonial municipalities protected residents through the establishment of a night watch committee—a system of constables and law enforcement personnel, usually paid by the fee system for warrants they served.

STRUCTURE
Typically each state has at least two separate tiers:
counties and municipAlities.
Some states have their counties divided into townships.

COUNTY GOVERNMENTS
are organized local governments authorized in state constitutons and established to provide general government in an area
defined as a first tier geographic division of a state.
This category includes municipal and township
governments.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS
They vary widely according to quantity, designation (they may be called cities, towns, boroughs, districts, plantations, and villages), and incorporation requirements.
Historically, towns and cities were distinguished by their distinct methods of deliberation.

TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENTS
They established to provide general government for a defined area, generally corresponding to 1 of a set of areas into which a county is divided. The category includes those governments designed as towns and townships in other states that have
them.
Depending on state law and local circumstances, a township may or may not be incorporated.

SPECIAL-PURPOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

WE MUST KNOW
Dillon's Rule
Unlike the relationship of federalism that exists between the U.S. government and the states, municipal governments have no power except what is granted to them by their states.
In effect, state governments can place whatever restrictions they choose on their municipalities. However, Dillon's Rule does not apply in all states of the United States, because some state constitutions provide specific rights for municipalities and counties.