The Development of Counties as Municipal Governments

Abstract

Counties in the twenty-first century are enigmatic hybrids of state and local government. Behaving sometimes as agents of state government, sometimes as county governments, and increasingly as municipal governments, urban counties are becoming more relevant as deliverers of urban services. Studies of county government have long recognized two roles of counties: as service delivery arms of state government and as local governments. More recently, analyses of county activities have pointed to increasing involvement in the delivery of services typically left to cities, particularly in urbanized areas. The rise of counties’ municipal services role deserves greater attention. Using a two-year, in-depth analysis of Los Angeles County, the authors examine the extent to which L.A. County has increased its municipal presence. They find that this municipal, or urban, services role comprises a significant portion of Los Angeles County’s activities and takes several distinct forms.

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