After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

• Describe to what extent the structure of Texas counties limits large counties, such as Harris County, and small counties, such as Loving County.
• Explain how the functions of county government differ from the functions of city government.
• Identify the different types of city government.
• Describe how local elections are conducted in the state of Texas.
• Explain how public schools are organized in Texas.
• Assess why special districts, such as municipal utility districts, community college districts, and hospital districts, are important in Texas.
• Evaluate the issues with funding local government.