| A | B |
|---|
| Annexation | The power of a city or town council to extend the boundaries of the city in the county by claiming certain unincorporated areas. |
| Charter Government | A form of local government (city or county), which empowers citizens to make broad decisions regarding the structure, powers and finances of their local government. These decisions are set forth in a mini-constitution called a "charter." This is also the name of a reform movement of city government in Phoenix which began in the 1950s. |
| Home Rule | The ability of citizens to decide what services their government will provide. |
| District System | The division of a town or city into equal population districts, of which each elects one person to the city council. |
| Manager-Council System | The system of city government that is run by professional managers. |
| Mayor-Commission System | The system where the daily operations of the city government are run by political appointees (commissioners), who are usually not professional managers. This is popular in eastern and mid-western cities and towns. |
