Police Department

• Police protection and department oversight are among the duties commonly assigned to city governmental agencies. The city council members, mayor or city manager, and fiscal officer or auditor all work closely together to run the local law enforcement agency. The hiring and firing of officers, promotions, policy manual and coverage plan are all determined by local oversight and relating state laws. If an operating levy is necessary to help fund the police department, city officials make the determination for the amount and must formally place the issue on the ballot for voter approval.
  
  

Corrections and Court

• A city or regional jail to incarcerate offenders also is the responsibility of city governments. The high cost of operating such a facility may mean the county or multiple cities own the correctional facility and operate in conjunction with one another. Depending upon specific state laws, city governments may also operate a mayor's court to hear misdemeanor cases.
  
  

Fire Services

• The city or village governs both paid full-time and volunteer fire departments. The oversight and monitoring of the fire or rescue department function similarly to the police department. Although civil service requirements by the state may supersede local laws, the city government still maintains direct control over the establishment and coverage area pertaining to fire departments, equipment purchases, training and personnel matters.
  
  

Infrastructure

• Maintenance of utility and infrastructure services also typically falls under the control of city governments. Mundane yet necessary matters such as streetlights, trash removal and water treatment plants are operated by edicts from the city council. Agreements between multiple municipalities to offer water and sewage services or electricity to a designated geographic area typically require a governing board that includes city officials from each municipality. Operating levies for city maintenance services are also commonplace.
  
  

Taxes and Zoning

• A city sales tax established by the governing body in conjunction with state laws creates operating revenue. Increases in the sales tax must be approved by a vote made in the form of a resolution. State laws may require any increase or decrease be placed upon the ballot for voter approval. The city also issues zoning laws and permits for development and improvements.