How Authority Is Distributed Across the State and Local Levels
Changes in a neighborhood often trigger discussions and sometimes disputes among residents about the sources of these changes. For example, new regulations at a local park, road construction affecting daily commutes or school policies that prompt parents to scrutinize meeting agendas can lead to frustration and a sense of confusion. Common reactions may include blaming different levels of government, such as expressing frustration by asking, “Why doesn’t the governor intervene?” or placing responsibility on the city or federal authorities.
It’s important to understand that authority in Arizona is structured in layers. The governance system includes state, county, city or town, school boards, and special districts, each with distinct responsibilities and jurisdictions. Some of these authorities may overlap, while others operate independently. For those seeking accountability and effective action, recognizing where power resides within this framework is essential.
Start With The Basic Shape: Arizona Is Layered On Purpose
Arizona’s system is built like a stack:
- State government sets statewide rules and runs statewide programs.
- Counties carry out a lot of state responsibilities locally and manage county services.
- Cities and towns handle local services and local laws within their boundaries.
- School boards handle education administrator for the local school district
- Special districts do one focused job, like water, fire or schools.
This design is intentional and aims to distribute decision-making across various levels of governance, ensuring that no single office has complete control over all aspects. As a result, it’s possible that your concern falls under the jurisdiction of a board or committee you may not have previously considered.
The State Level: Big Rules, Big Systems, Statewide Reach
At the state level, you’re dealing with things that apply across Arizona, or major systems that need consistency.
Common state responsibilities include:
- State laws and statewide policy.
- State agencies (think licensing, public health programs, transportation planning)
- State courts and statewide legal structure
- State budget decisions that fund statewide services and often influence local ones
The key point is that the state has the authority to define the powers and responsibilities of counties and cities. Counties are often referred to as "creatures of the state," meaning they can operate only within the powers granted to them by state law. This relationship is evident in Arizona law, which outlines counties' governance and powers. While the state holds significant authority, it does not manage every detail of local neighborhoods or street-level activities.
The County Level: Local Administration, Regional Services And A Lot Of “Unseen” Work
Counties are where many residents get tripped up, mostly because counties do a ton of important work without the branding of a city.
Counties are governed by a county board of supervisors, and state law spells out their powers and duties.
What counties often handle:
- County roads in unincorporated areas
- Property tax administration and county budgeting functions
- Elections administration in coordination with state rules
- County courts and certain justice system functions
- Public health services and regional programs (varies by structure and funding)
Counties also play a formal role in election-related processes through the board of supervisors, including parts of administering and canvassing elections, based on Arizona’s legal framework and county governance structure.
A good mental shortcut: If you live outside a city or town boundary, the county government is probably doing more of your day-to-day “local” life than you realize.
City And Town Government: The Closest Level To Daily Life
Cities and towns handle the stuff you notice constantly. The services that make a place feel functional or chaotic.
Common city and town responsibilities include:
- Police and fire (sometimes shared or district-based)
- Local streets and traffic planning (within city limits)
- Trash, recycle, and water services
- Zoning, planning and development rules
- Parks, libraries and community services
- City codes and enforcement of local ordinances
Arizona law recognizes differences between general-law cities and charter cities, which affect the extent of local control a city has over certain issues.
Translation: In some places, the city has extra flexibility because voters approved a city charter. In others, the city operates more directly under state statutes.
Special Districts: The “One Job” Governments That Run Big Parts Of Your Life
Special districts are easy to miss until they’re the reason your taxes shift or your services change. They exist to do a specific job in a defined area.
Examples include:
- School districts
- Fire districts
- Water and irrigation districts
- Transportation-related districts
These entities often have their own boards and budgets. They can set policies and make spending decisions within their scope. They also show up on ballots sometimes, which is why a “local election” might not be the city council at all. It might be school bonds, overrides or district governance.
Why Your Issue Feels “Local” But Isn’t Always Local
Here’s a common trap: something happens in your city, so it feels like the city must control it.
But Arizona law can preempt local rules in certain areas, meaning the state can set limits on what local governments can regulate. So you might see a city explain, “We can’t do that,” and people assume they’re dodging responsibility.
The only way to tell is to look at:
- Who created the rule?
- Who enforces the rule?
- Who pays for the program behind the rule?
Those three questions usually reveal the real decision-maker.
“Who Do I Call?” A Quick Authority Map For Real Life
This guide provides valuable insights and practical information that can greatly enhance your understanding and support your decision-making process, even if it is not a comprehensive manual.
The state level is often your lane when the issue is:
- A statewide law or statewide program
- State budget
- Professional licensing, statewide benefits or state agency rules
- Statewide education standards or state transportation planning
The county level is often your lane when the issue is:
- County elections administration and local election processes
- Services in unincorporated areas
- Property valuation, assessments and some regional services
- County-level governance decisions by the board of supervisors
The city or town level is often your lane when the issue is:
- Zoning decisions, planning meetings and development permits
- City road changes and local street maintenance
- Water, trash, and recycling services
- Local ordinances, parks and city services
Special districts are often your lane when the issue is:
- School policies and school funding votes
- Fire district services and boundaries
- Water, irrigation or district-run utilities
When questions are directed at an inappropriate level, the typical outcomes are either a lack of response or an ambiguous answer that can be frustrating. Neither result fosters trust and is easily preventable. It's essential to ensure that your questions are aligned with the context and audience to facilitate clear communication and build stronger relationships.
Why Some Decisions Never Reach Voters Directly
It's essential to understand that in many decision-making processes, particularly in governance and policy-making, not every decision is determined by public voting. While democratic systems often rely on votes to reflect the will of the people, decisions are sometimes made by elected officials, bureaucracies or legal frameworks. This is because certain complex issues require specialized knowledge, legal interpretation or urgent action that may not be suitable for public voting. Therefore, it’s important to recognize the role of representative governance and other mechanisms in society's decision-making.
A lot of decisions happen through:
- Administrative rules made by agencies
- Boards and commissions appointed or elected
- Budgets passed by councils, boards or the legislature
- Contracts and procurement processes
Voters still influence these decisions, just not always through a ballot measure. The influence often shows up through who you elect, how you show up to meetings and whether decision-makers think anyone is paying attention.
Clarity builds accountability by turning “Someone should fix this” into “This board votes on this next Tuesday.”
The Civic Power Move: Match Your Action To The Right Level
If you want to be effective without becoming a full-time government lobbyist, do this:
- Name the issue in one sentence. Keep it tight.
- Identify the level that controls the lever. State, county, city/town or district.
- Find the next decision point. A meeting, a vote, a comment period, a policy update.
- Show up in the format they have to record. Public comment, email, testimony or a formal request.
It's not about being loud; it's about being authentically impactful.
Wrap-Up: Use Citizens Clean Elections To Stay Oriented And Take Action
Understanding the distribution of authority is crucial; it can determine whether efforts lead to meaningful progress or simply result in frustration. Citizens Clean Elections is dedicated to facilitating a smoother civic experience in Arizona through nonpartisan voter education and resources that clarify governmental processes. Their offerings include tools designed to empower citizens to participate confidently in democracy. Additionally, the Commission manages the Clean Elections program for eligible candidates and oversees the enforcement of certain Arizona campaign finance regulations, all in alignment with the goals established by the Citizens Clean Elections Act.
When a local issue arises in your group chat, you'll be equipped with a more insightful response than simply asking, “Who decides this?” You'll understand where to find information and how to take the appropriate next steps.
FAQs
What’s the difference between state, county and city government in Arizona?
State government sets statewide laws and runs statewide systems. Counties administer many services regionally and carry out state responsibilities locally. Cities and towns manage local services and local rules within their boundaries, with authority shaped by state law and, in some cases, city charters.
Who is responsible for elections in Arizona: the state or the county?
Both. Arizona’s election rules are set through state law, while counties play key roles in administering elections locally, including functions connected to the county board of supervisors and county elections officials.
Why can’t my city just make a rule to fix a local problem?
Because state law can limit what cities and towns are allowed to regulate and different city structures (like charter vs general law) affect local authority.
February 20 - 2026