The Form of Government and Structure - Essay Example

Washington County Insert Insert The form of government and structure and how officials are elected into office Article 11, section 3to 5 of the constitution of Washington regulate the governance and formation of counties. The constitution acknowledges two forms of government of the county, which include the “commission form’’ and the “home rule”, form charter. Article 11, section 16 of the constitution of Washington permits home rule charter cities and counties inside them to merge to one entity of government. The constitution of Washington obliges the commission form to be the county government standard form all over the state for those counties that do not embrace home rule charter. Out of 39 counties of Washington, 33 are non-charter, which run the government of commission form offered by the state. Under the commission form, the county government is governed by a body that consists of three members of commissioner’s board who are elected. The election is based on partisan and serves as a legislative body of the county as well as performing executive functions. Counties with greater population of more than 300,000 can add the number of commission members from three to five. On the other hand, home rule charter can offer counties with officers that they regard it necessary in carrying out functions of the county (County of Washington, 2014). Local politics of Washington Referendum has influenced the local politics of Washington. It has helped to protect the rights of the citizens through direct democracy. Therefore, it has enabled the citizens of Washington to eliminate government that is representative and to remedy it when it turns to be misrepresentative. In addition, the petition process has been utilized in the county government of Washington. It has given the citizens of Washington superiority that is automatic and sovereignty above government that is representative. More over, the recall is constitutionally defined for the citizens of Washington. It allows citizens to remove and substitute a public official before the term ends in the office. Citizens initiate the process of petition, and if it goes through it eliminates an official elected from office through recalling the official’s elections. Besides, democratic reform trilemma has also brought great influence to the citizens of Washington based on three characteristics. These characteristics include participation, deliberation, and equality (Washington County, 2014). Participation enhances extensive participation in the process of decision making by the affected people. Deliberation enables a balanced discussion where all main points of view are prejudiced based on evidence. Equality ensures that all members of the county whose decisions are accounted have a chance that is equal of having their opinions justified. Local planning and development activities of Washington County The local development of Washington activities is being fostered through a corporation known as local development corporations. The aim of the corporation is to maintain and increase opportunities of employment, reduce unemployment, promote development of existing industries, encourage communities of Washington County to invite new industries, and to reduce the government burden. The Corporation has also aided Washington County to rehabilitate and construct manufacturing and industrial facilities. It also facilitates the provision of loans and grants, issue money, borrow money, acquire lease or sell real property at a value that is below market value. The mission of County of Washington local development corporation is to offer medium sized businesses training programs, promoting the county of Washington through activities of marketing and outreach of businesses. The planning of local infrastructure of the County of Washington is more accurate and complete. The jurisdictions of the county are maximizing host strategies to aid in balancing requirements with scarce resources (Washington County Local Development, 2013). The new requirement plans for the county is to require capital facility plans to meet management strategies demand and listing projects that are complete to aid with valuation of needs and to plan for areas with low density. The local government of Washington County is in the forefront in funding their systems of infrastructure. However, the county has had a challenge to fund their plans. Details on analytical tools used in a significant program Project refers to an undertaking planned at activities that are related to meet the objective that has a start and an end. Projects help to work out problems when they arise in organizations such as the type of products to develop whether to expand capacity or not, whether an organization should purchase a computer or not. The project management of the local government of Washington County has had tasks that are challenging with many responsibilities that are complex. Fortunately, project management tools have enabled them to undertake the tasks and perform the responsibilities. The project management tools that have been employed by the local government of Washington County include program evaluation review technique and Gantt charts. These project management tools have enabled the county in controlling and planning of tasks to accomplish projects that will aid in the rehabilitation and construction of manufacturing and industrial facilities. It has led to the county benefiting from using these tools since it has enhanced scheduling and perfecting planning of activities. It has also promoted forecasting of requirements of resources. In addition, it has identified planning patterns that are repetitive that can be trailed in other projects to simplify the process of planning. It also gives the project expected completion time, completion probability before a given date, the critical path of activities that influence time of completion. In addition, activities with slack time and can aid resources to activities of critical path, and activity end and start dates (Washington County, 2014). Gantt charts enable comparison of more projects to evaluate the allocation of resources and risk. On the other hand, it displays the definite project the schedule planned. It also enables to control the project in a better way through encouraging clearer communication. It can show results at levels that are appropriate and aids in generating’’ what if ‘’ scenarios. It also makes it simple to comprehend visual display of time schedule of activities. Gantt charts have also enabled Washington County since it has become a negotiation tool. Besides, it has rewarded the manager of the project with a greater visibility and control of the project. Leadership and management characteristics A municipal is a document that is legal and defines organization function, powers, and important procedures of the government procedures. The charter comprises form of municipal government, which includes five forms. The forms include mayor-council, commission, council-manager, representative town meeting, and town meeting. The characteristics of Council-Manager Council manager runs the general administration, sets budget, and implements policy. The council also selects city managers that are professional to perform daily administrative activities and operations. Frequently, the mayor is appointed among the council based on rotation. It is a form of government that is popular in cities with over 10,000 populations. Characteristics of Mayor-Council Mayor is chosen differently from the council, is frequently full time and paid with important budgetary and administrative authority. The mayor could posses’ strong or weak powers depending on the charter of the municipal. The council is elected and regulates powers of legislation. Its is the second form of government in Washington. Characteristics of the commission The commission has executive tasks as well as a legislative function in the county. The commission is accountable for aspects that are specific such as public works, finance, fire, and health. Only one commissioner is selected as mayor or chairperson who chairs over meetings (Washington County Local Development, 2013). In addition, voters elect individual commissioners to a governing board that is small. Characteristics of Town Meeting When electing town meeting, voters meet to agree on the policy basic and choose officials to perform those policies of the given municipality. Unfortunately, this form of government is perceived to be the purest democracy form since it enables all voters who are eligible to raise a voice in local decisions policy. Characteristics of Representative Town Meeting When selecting representative town meeting, voters choose larger figure of citizens to signify them at town meetings, a place that they can only vote. Every town meeting has to be declared with an authorization that gives the time, date, meeting location and issues to be discussed. The person selected is accountable for policy implementation. Budgetary challenges and approaches The policy makers at all government levels of Washington County have had various difficult options to make as increasing education, infrastructure, and health care costs put pressure on budgets annually and leave behind growth of revenue. The county enables public officials and legislators to approach these challenges through information sharing and to draw attention of the best practices to enable the government to meet long-term and short-term health financial. It makes investments that are viable in programs that give highest returns (Washington County Local Development, 2013). Washington County also focuses to raise fiscal accountability, transparency and responsibility through provision of information that is independent and not biased to the public and policymakers. The stakeholders as well as detailing ways that are complex to the County fiscal policy cooperate. Financial services and products are vital to assist citizens of Washington County to save, invest and borrow (Washington County Local Development, 2013). Unfortunately, most of these products are associated with risks that are hidden which increase drain savings, debt, and damaged credit. Washington County is working hard to make the user that financial products consumed by consumers on a daily basis, credit cards, prepaid cards, checking accounts, and small dollar loans are fair, transparent, and safe. To address current county challenges of increased workload and low budgets, managers of the local government and officials elected are supporting new and innovative ways. Collaboration has shown to be operative tool for jurisdiction to work with local government, nonprofit making organizations, and private sectors to attain targets and services delivery that they could not be able to attain. The level of standards of services of the County of Washington has served several purposes (Washington County Local Development, 2013). It has provided a benchmark or analyzing deficiency of services existing. It has also outlined public services that are new and services that will be required to foster new development. In addition, it has offered benchmark for overseeing progress towards reaching management growth and targets of public service. On the other hand, they alert officials of the public on available opportunities to enhance efficiency and savings. Level of service standard forms the basis for reassuring that services are existing are kept as innovative development is served. Besides, they provide a chance for jurisdiction of neighbors to organize levels of service standard. Level of service standards provides quality ways for facilities and provided services. References County of Washington. (2014). County of Washington. Retrieved NOV 8, 2014, from County of Washington: http://www.washco-md.net/depts.shtm Washington County. (2014). Washington County. Retrieved NOV 8, 2014, from Washington County: http://www.washingtoncountytn.org/government Washington County Local Development. (2013). Authorities Budget. Review of Activities and Expenditures, 1-5. Read More