Administrative divisions of Florida facts for kids
Local governments in Florida are like the smaller teams that help run the state. They get their power from Florida's state government and the Florida Constitution. These local governments are created by special laws from the Florida Legislature. There are four main types: counties, cities (also called municipalities), school districts, and special districts.
Sometimes, a city government and a county government might join together to form a "consolidated government." For example, in Jacksonville, the city government handles many jobs that would normally be done by Duval County. Even within this big combined government, smaller cities can still exist.
Both counties and cities have their own leaders, like commissions or councils (who make laws) and mayors or managers (who run things). They also have local police. Counties and cities can create their own rules (called ordinances), collect taxes, and provide services like water or trash collection. Every part of Florida belongs to a county, but not every area is part of a city. If a county rule and a city rule are different, the city rule usually wins inside the city's borders. However, if the county is a "charter county" (meaning it has special powers from the state), then the county's rules might be stronger.
Counties and cities can also create "community development agencies." These agencies use money from property taxes to improve specific areas, like building new parks or fixing roads.
Florida's Counties
Florida has 67 counties. Many are named after important people, like local or national leaders. Some names come from Spanish explorers, showing the state's history under Spanish rule. Natural features like rivers, lakes, and plants are also common names for counties. For example, Miami-Dade County is partly named after a U.S. Army Major, while Osceola County is named after a Native American leader from the Second Seminole War.
Each county has certain officials who are considered "state" officers. These include the Sheriff, State Attorney, Public Defender, Tax Collector, County Clerk, a county Appraiser (who figures out property values for taxes), and county judges. These officials are elected by the people in the county. Their offices and salaries are paid for by the county, but only the state governor can remove them from their positions.
By state law, each county in Florida has its own school district.
Florida's Cities and Towns
Cities in Florida can be called towns, cities, or villages. Legally, there isn't a difference between these terms. Cities often have their own police and fire departments. They also provide important services like water and trash collection. In areas of a county that are not part of a city, the county government provides these services. Cities can also make agreements with the county to share services. Each county has a sheriff, and the sheriff's department often works alongside city police departments.
School Districts
Every county in Florida has one school district. The Florida Constitution allows neighboring counties to combine their school districts if voters agree. The person in charge of the school district, called the superintendent, is usually elected by the people. However, voters in a county can choose to make the superintendent an appointed position instead.
Special Districts
Special districts are local government groups that handle specific jobs. One type is a "community development district." These districts have many of the same powers as a city or county, but they usually don't have police power. They are governed by Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes. Famous examples include the Reedy Creek Improvement District (where Walt Disney World is located) and a large part of The Villages, which is a big retirement community.
Many counties also have a "Soil and Water Conservation District." These districts were created a long time ago to help manage land and water, especially after the Dust Bowl era. The officials in these districts are not paid. Some people think these districts are no longer needed.
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