(rollercoaster roaring) (upbeat music) - Think about your favorite amusement park or one you've at least heard of.

You may not realize it, but it takes a lot of people to keep a place like that running.

Security teams help keep guests safe.

Cleaning crews and workers make sure everything is clean and enjoyable.

Managers and leaders work behind the scenes to ensure things run smoothly, and some parts of the park are so unique they need their own special teams to run them.

Local governments in Georgia, like counties, cities, and special purpose districts work in a similar way.

These teams are designed to serve communities, and they show up all across the state doing different jobs.

So how do these local governments and special districts operate in Georgia and what exactly do they do?

(upbeat music) Georgia is a big state, so it has laws and state agencies that help serve everyone who lives here.

But just like all amusement parks can't be run the same way, not every community in Georgia needs the same things.

A large city with hundreds of thousands of people has very different needs than a small town with just a few hundred residents.

That's where local governments come in.

Cities and counties handle the needs that are closest to where people live, making sure services fit each community.

A city, also known as a town or municipality, is created through a legal document called a Municipal Charter.

Think of it as the city's rule book for how it operates.

Running a city is a team effort.

You have the mayor.

This is the city's top leader who helps set priorities and represents the community.

Then there's the city council.

These are elected officials who pass laws, and decide how money gets spent.

Some cities have a city manager.

This is a behind the scenes boss who handles daily operations and makes sure things actually get done.

And finally, there are city departments.

They have experts who keep things moving like the police chief, fire chief, and public works crews.

Together, they keep the city running smoothly, so you don't have to think twice about the essentials you use every day, like police and fire protection, roads and transportation, schools, and water and sewer systems.

Counties in Georgia play a different but just as important role.

A county can include multiple cities and in some cases, a large city like Atlanta spends more than one county.

Counties were originally created when Georgia was a lot more rural.

The idea was simple.

People needed to be able to reach the county seat often by horse or mule within a single day.

That's one reason Georgia has one of the highest numbers of counties in the country.

Today, counties handle big picture services like keeping records, running courts, enforcing laws, managing elections, and supporting programs like public assistance.

They also help maintain roads and other infrastructure.

Some counties even provide services similar to cities, like police, fire protection, libraries, and public transit.

But most focus on serving wider areas beyond city limits.

To do all of this, counties rely on key officials, including a board of commissioners, who makes decisions for the county.

A sheriff who enforces the law.

A tax commissioner who manages tax collection and records.

A clerk of Superior Court who keeps official documents, and a probate judge who oversees county elections.

But not every service fits neatly into a city or a county system.

Some needs are so specific that they require their own focused teams.

In an amusement park, some attractions are so big they need dedicated staff.

In Georgia, those focused services are handled by special purpose governments, also called special purpose districts.

Special purpose districts focus on providing a single need within a region.

Georgia has a lot of them, but here's some you're probably already familiar with.

First up, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, better known as MARTA.

It's Atlanta's public transportation system, running buses and trains across Metro Atlanta, so people can get to school, work, and events without having to drive.

MARTA is led by a board of directors appointed by local governments and the state.

That board doesn't drive the buses or run the trains day to day, but they do make the big decisions, like where new routes should go, how much fare should cost, and how to improve the system over time.

Then there's the Georgia Ports Authority, which manages the state's major shipping ports in places like Savannah and Brunswick.

Their job is all about moving goods.

Everything from cars to clothes to containers of food, between shifts and the rest of the world.

The Ports Authority is led by a board appointed by the governor of Georgia.

That leadership team focuses on big picture decisions, like expanding port facilities, improving shipping speed, and ensuring Georgia saves competitive in global trade.

And finally, there's Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world.

It handles millions of passengers each year, plus tons of cargo, and connects Atlanta to cities across the globe.

The airport is run by the City of Atlanta's Department of Aviation and led by a general manager.

That leadership oversees everything from daily operations, and safety, to long-term growth and major construction projects.

Even though they do different jobs, all special purpose districts share the same goal, a focus mission and leadership that keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

(graphics whooshing) And here's another way Georgia governments work together.

Consolidation.

A consolidated government happens when a city and county combine their efforts into one unified system.

In Georgia, examples include Augusta Richmond County, Athens-Clarke County, and Macon-Bibb County.

Instead of operating separately, these governments share responsibilities under one structure.

This helps reduce overlap and improve coordination.

It's like combining the food and beverage teams in an amusement park so everything works together more smoothly and nothing gets duplicated.

But running all of these services takes money.

Just like an amusement park needs funding to operate rides, and pay staff, local governments need revenue, or money to serve their communities.

They get that money from two main sources, tax revenue and non-tax revenue.

The largest share comes from taxes, which are required payments made by people and businesses to the government.

In return, that money helps fund public services people use every day, like roads, schools, and public safety.

Tax revenues include ad valorem taxes.

These are taxes based on a property's value.

Sales and use taxes.

These tax revenues come from purchases, and rentals in the state.

They may also come from the use of property, and may be used to fund special projects.

Franchise taxes are paid by businesses like utility companies.

And excise taxes are paid on specific goods like gasoline.

Non-tax revenues, on the other hand, include sources like court fees, fines, and federal grants.

This money could also come from licenses, permits or payments.

Why is all of this important?

Because Georgia has lots of local governments, and special purpose districts working hard to manage its communities.

Cities handle daily services.

Counties manage larger systems, and special purpose districts focus on specific needs.

Together, they create a uniquely designed system in Georgia, that is organized and efficient.

Just like an amusement park depends on many teams working together.

Georgia depends on many levels of government doing their part.

They have different roles, different responsibilities, but one shared goal, keeping communities running smoothly.

(upbeat music) (graphics whooshing)