Lesson 2: Local Government
Activity 2.1: Local government at a glance
Local governments vary widely in how they are run. As you saw in the presentation you watched earlier there are many different forms of local government. For this activity you will be researching your own city and answering questions relating to your city. If you go to the city section on the Minnesota government website you will find a list of just about every city in the state. If you can not find your city, you may have to use your county. Because every website is different you will need to talk to your teacher if you cannot find all of the required information, but most city websites have it readily available.
After touring your city’s website you will need to answer the following questions.
1. What is the name of your city?
2. What sort of governing body does your city have? Do you have a mayor? Do you have a city council? Do you have both? Explain your governing body and who they are (names).
3. What utility services does your city offer? Do you have city water, garbage, recycling etc.
4. What other services does your city offer (parks, festivals etc.)?
5. Do you have a local police department/fire department? Who is in charge?
6. Does your city have an extra sales tax? If so how much? You may have to ask a trusted adult if you do not know. The MN sales tax is currently 6.875% so if you pay more than that in your city you do have a local sales tax!
7. Besides what you have already answered in the other questions state 3 things that you learned by touring your city’s website. If you can find more than 3 please feel free to go above and beyond!
Upload your assignment to the add submission box
o Open document to your computer
o Complete the Assignment
o Click "Save As" and save it onto a special place on your computer
o Click "Upload a File"
o Upload the file to this Moodle page
o Click Save. You will repeat these same directions for the written explanation for your personal
grade.