Describe the role of special districts and discuss the reasons for their growth

What will be an ideal response?

Answer:
A. Special districts
1. local government established to deliver a specific service to a limited geographic area
2. independent from other governments
a. separate boundaries, budgets, governing bodies
3. have source of funding
a. can be funded by property taxes, local sales tax, tolls
4. recognized existence
a. chartered by the state or approved by state legislature
b. business must be conducted openly
B. Enormous growth of special districts
1. fastest growing form of government
2. in Texas grown by 42 percent since 1992, more than 4000
C. Reasons for growth
1. independent school districts
a. ensure more local control of public school districts
b. control budget
c. elected school board
2. noneducation special districts
a. delivers services such as water and utilities, public housing, and hospitals, to public transportation and flood control
b. provides specific services to meet needs of area that government cannot