Question

there are many different types of local governments. counties are the largest units of local government. there are over 3,000 counties in the united states! counties come in all shapes and sizes, with huge differences in population and geographic area.
county governments have a variety of structures. a common structure involves a county commission, or group of representatives elected by voters. commissions have legislative power to pass ordinances and make decisions about local services. some commissions also have executive power. but other counties split executive power out into a separate position.

• in commission - only counties, the county commission has executive power to enforce the ordinances they pass and to manage local agencies and services.
• in commission and executive counties, voters elect someone to serve as a county executive. this executive enforces ordinances passed by the commission and manages local agencies and services.
• in commission and administrator counties, the commission hires someone to serve as an administrator. this administrator enforces ordinances passed by the commission and manages local agencies and services.

decide which county types match each of the following statements.

	commission - only	commission and executive	commission and administrator
the county commission chooses someone to enforce ordinances.
the county commission passes ordinances for local issues.
the county commission directly manages local agencies and services.
voters usually elect members of the county commission.
voters elect an independent person to enforce ordinances.

Explanation:

1. For "The county commission chooses someone to enforce ordinances": In commission - and - administrator counties, the commission hires an administrator to enforce ordinances. So check the box under "Commission and administrator".
2. For "The county commission passes ordinances for local issues": All three types (commission - only, commission and executive, commission and administrator) have county commissions with legislative power to pass ordinances. So check boxes under all three.
3. For "The county commission directly manages local agencies and services": In commission - only counties, the commission has executive power to manage local agencies and services. So check the box under "Commission - only".
4. For "Voters usually elect members of the county commission": All county government structures involve a county commission elected by voters. So check boxes under all three.
5. For "Voters elect an independent person to enforce ordinances": In commission - and - executive counties, voters elect a county executive to enforce ordinances. So check the box under "Commission and executive".

Answer:

1. The county commission chooses someone to enforce ordinances: Commission and administrator (check the box under "Commission and administrator").
2. The county commission passes ordinances for local issues: Commission - only, Commission and executive, Commission and administrator (check boxes under all three).
3. The county commission directly manages local agencies and services: Commission - only (check the box under "Commission - only").
4. Voters usually elect members of the county commission: Commission - only, Commission and executive, Commission and administrator (check boxes under all three).
5. Voters elect an independent person to enforce ordinances: Commission and executive (check the box under "Commission and executive").