Local Government Performs Four Very Basic but Important Roles

Commentary
By John A. Ostenburg

Some time ago, I was asked what local government actually does. Giving the question some thought, I came up with the following response.

Local government performs four basic tasks: (1) assuring that citizens respect the rights of one another; (2) providing essential services required to meet public needs; (3) managing the various operations that are necessary for the public good; and (4) providing funding for the various operations that the…