Counties evolving as regional service providers

What is it about?

This article examines how county government form affects county spending for regional services. It extends the broader literature on the debate over whether the form of government makes a difference in local government policy decisions.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

An examination of the two major distinctions in reformed government types reveals that elected executive governments spend on average more than those with the commission-administrator form. However, the amount of increase for elected executive spending was very minor. The findings also reveal that the ability to establish home rule charters alters the effects of government structure for commission and commission-administrator counties. Meanwhile, charter-enabling laws matter little regarding the effects for elected executive counties