Special district in United States

Special District in United States: There are a total of 39,262 independent special districts in the United States of America which is the highest number ever. They are the local governments that are separate from metropolitans and counties. Special districts are the most common and grassroots form of government in the USA. Special districts are created to perform a single function or a set of functions to achieve efficient governance.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Special district in the United States in detail with the Washington’s and Census Bureau’s Definitions.

Special District in United States – Overview

Special District in United States – Overview
District Location in the USA	Independent Body	Agenda and Work	Formation Under
Alabama	Alabama Municipal Electric Authority	Management of electric utilities	General Law
Alaska	Regional Electrical Authorities	Regulation and distribution of electricity	General Law
Arizona	Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation	Public transportation services	Special Act
Arkansas	Fire Ant Abatement Districts	Controlling and managing fire ant populations	General Law
California	Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation	Maintenance and operation of transportation systems	General Law
Colorado	Regional Transportation District	Public transportation services	General Law
Connecticut	Pomperaug Valley Water Authority	Management and distribution of water resources	Special Act
Delaware	Tax Ditches	Maintenance and management of drainage ditches	General Law
Florida	Jacksonville Aviation Authority	Operation and management of airports	Special Act
Georgia	Atlanta BeltLine Special Services District	Development and maintenance of special services	Special Act
Hawaiʻi	Central Maui Soil & Water Conservation District	Soil and water conservation	General Law
Idaho	Auditorium Districts	Operation and management of auditoriums	General Law
Illinois	Cook Memorial Public Library District	Library services and programs	General Law
Indiana	Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority	Regional development projects	Special Act
Iowa	Library Districts (Joint or Regional)	Library services and programs	General Law
Kansas	Industrial Districts	Industrial development and infrastructure	General Law
Kentucky	Highview Fire Protection District	Fire protection services	General Law
Louisiana	West Jefferson Levee District	Levee management and flood control	General Law
Maine	Cemetery Districts	Management and maintenance of cemeteries	Special Acts
Maryland	Water and Sewer Authorities	Management and distribution of water resources	General Law
Massachusetts	Holyoke Water Works	Management and distribution of water resources	Special Act
Michigan	Huron–Clinton Metroparks	Park management and conservation	General Law
Minnesota	Metropolitan Mosquito Control District	Mosquito control and public health	General Law
Mississippi	Lighting Districts	Street lighting services	Special Acts
Missouri	Jackson County Sports Complex Authority	Management and operation of sports complexes	Special Act
Montana	County Rail Authorities	Railroad management and development	General Law
Nebraska	Omaha Public Power District	Power generation and distribution	General Law
Nevada	Las Vegas–Clark County Library District	Library services and programs	Special Act
New Hampshire	Housing Authorities	Affordable housing development and management	General Law
New Jersey	New Jersey Turnpike Authority	Toll road operation and maintenance	General Law
New Mexico	Cotton Boll Weevil Control Districts	Pest control for agricultural protection	General Law
New York	Port Washington Parking District	Parking management and services	Special Act
North Carolina	Research Triangle Regional Public Transit	Public transportation services	Special Act
North Dakota	Minot Park District	Park management and conservation	General Law
Ohio	Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District	Sewage management and treatment	General Law
Oklahoma	Public Library Systems	Library services and programs	General Law
Oregon	Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District	Park and recreation services	General Law
Pennsylvania	Philadelphia Regional Port Authority	Port operations and management	Special Act
Rhode Island	East Providence Special Development District	Development and planning	Special Act
South Carolina	St. John’s Fire District	Fire protection services	General Law
South Dakota	Television Translator Districts	Broadcasting and media services	General Law
Tennessee	Utility Districts	Utility services and infrastructure	General Law
Texas	Palacios Seawall Commission	Coastal protection and management	Special Act
Utah	Liberty Cemetery Maintenance District	Cemetery maintenance and management	General Law
Vermont	Vermont Public Power Supply Authority	Power generation and distribution	Special Act
Virginia	Buchanan County Tourist Train Development	Tourism and transportation development	Special Act
Washington	Independent Health Districts	Public health services	General Law
West Virginia	Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority	Recreation management and development	General Law
Wisconsin	Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District	Sewage management and treatment	General Law
Wyoming	Baggs Solid Waste Disposal District	Waste management and disposal	General Law

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Definition of Special Districts

In the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), there is not a single, fixed definition for a special district or a special purpose district. Instead, these terms are defined within specific sections or chapters of the RCW. The definition usually applies only to the laws covered by that specific statute. Sometimes, the law creating a “district” might use a different term instead of “special purpose district.” This can make it necessary to check whether it operates with its own governing body and financial independence.

Classification

Statutes that establish special districts might label them as municipalities, municipal corporations, quasi-municipal corporations, public corporations, public bodies corporate and politic, or other terms. However, these terms often lack precise definitions in statutes. The classifications can vary and may not have significant differences in meaning. For a comprehensive list of districts and their statutory classifications, refer to MRSC’s Special Purpose Districts Overview page. Additional definitions can be found in the “Matrix of Terms Categorizing Local Government Entities in Washington State” under “Definitions of Special Districts.” These classifications include:

• Body Corporate
• Municipal Corporations
• Municipalities
• Public Body Corporate and Politic
• Quasi-municipal Corporations
• Units of Local Government

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Special Districts Examples

Special districts in the United States serve various purposes and operate at the local level to provide specific services within defined geographic areas. Here are some examples of special districts in the USA:

1. Water Districts: These districts manage water resources, including water supply, treatment, distribution, and wastewater collection and treatment. They ensure access to clean water and proper sanitation for residents. Examples include the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the East Bay Municipal Utility District in California.
2. Fire Protection Districts: Responsible for fire prevention, firefighting, and emergency medical services within a designated area. Fire districts operate fire stations, employ firefighters and paramedics, and provide training and equipment. Examples include the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Chicago Fire Department.
3. School Districts: School districts are responsible for providing public education within their boundaries. They manage schools, educational programs, and related services. School districts are funded through local property taxes and state funding. Examples include the New York City Department of Education and the Los Angeles Unified School District.
4. Hospital Districts: These districts provide healthcare services to residents within a defined area. Hospital districts may own and operate hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities. They often receive funding through property taxes or other revenue sources. Examples include the Harris Health System in Texas and the Cook County Health & Hospitals System in Illinois.
5. Library Districts: Library districts manage public libraries and related services, including book lending, educational programs, and community events. They ensure access to information and resources for residents. Examples include the New York Public Library and the Los Angeles Public Library.
6. Park and Recreation Districts: These districts develop and maintain parks, recreational facilities, and programs within a community. They provide opportunities for leisure, fitness, and outdoor activities. Examples include the Chicago Park District and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department.
7. Sanitation Districts: Responsible for solid waste management, including garbage collection, recycling, and disposal. Sanitation districts ensure proper waste handling and environmental protection. Examples include the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County and the New York City Department of Sanitation.
8. Airport Districts: Airport districts operate and maintain airports, overseeing aviation activities, terminal operations, and infrastructure development. They facilitate air travel and support economic growth. Examples include the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
9. Transit Districts: Transit districts provide public transportation services, including buses, trains, and light rail systems. They manage transit operations, infrastructure, and fare collection. Examples include the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York and the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) in San Francisco.
10. Community Development Districts (CDDs): CDDs finance, construct, and maintain infrastructure and amenities within planned communities or developments. They fund public facilities like roads, utilities, and recreational areas. Examples include The Woodlands Township in Texas and The Villages Community Development Districts in Florida.

Who Makes Special Districts?

Special districts are typically created by legislative bodies at the state or local level. The specific process for creating a special district can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the purpose of the district. Here’s an overview of who typically makes special districts:

1. State Legislatures: In many cases, state legislatures have the authority to create special districts through legislation. State laws often outline the procedures and requirements for establishing special districts within the state. Legislators may introduce bills to create new special districts or modify existing ones.
2. Local Governments: Local governments, such as city councils, county boards, or regional authorities, may also have the authority to create special districts within their jurisdictions. This could involve passing ordinances, resolutions, or other forms of local legislation to establish the district.
3. Voters: In some cases, special districts may be created through a voter initiative or referendum. This means that residents within the proposed district’s boundaries vote on whether to establish the district and, sometimes, approve funding mechanisms such as property taxes or bond measures to support its operations.
4. Government Agencies or Authorities: Certain government agencies or authorities may be responsible for creating specific types of special districts. For example, transit districts may be established by transportation authorities, while water districts may be created by water resource management agencies.
5. Private Entities: In rare cases, special districts may be created or sponsored by private entities, such as developers or homeowner associations, to provide services or manage infrastructure within a particular development or community.

Census Bureau Definition of Special District Governments In United States

Special district governments, according to the Census Bureau, they are the local entities established by state law to handle specific functions. They operate independently from county, municipal, township, or school district governments. These districts have their own administrative and financial control and are responsible for a particular set of tasks. They go by different names like districts, authorities, boards, or commissions, as defined by state laws.

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Special District in United States vs. Special Purpose District

Here are major differences between the Special District in United States vs. Special Purpose District as mentioned below.

Special District in United States vs. Special Purpose District
Criteria	Special Districts	Special Purpose Districts
Definition	Local entities authorized by state law to provide specific functions.	Local entities created to fulfill a particular purpose or deliver a specific service.
Scope	Can provide one or multiple designated functions.	Focuses solely on a specific purpose or service.
Administrative Autonomy	Typically possess administrative and fiscal autonomy.	Generally possess administrative independence.
Legal Authority	Established by state legislation.	Established by state legislation.
Funding	May collect taxes, fees, or assessments for funding.	Funded through taxes, fees, or specific revenues.
Examples	Water districts, sewer districts, fire protection districts, etc.	Fire protection districts, library districts, transit districts, etc.

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Special Districts in United States with Separate Governments

Let us discuss about the Special Districts in United States with Separate Governments as mentioned below.

• To determine if special districts qualify as separate governments, each district’s creating statute must be reviewed.
• In Washington, some districts have autonomous governing boards, but funding approval may be required from the legislative body that established the district.
• In other cases, the legislative body members serve as the governing board ex officio.
• Statutes often designate county commissioners or city/town councils to act ex officio.
• Legislation is passed under the district’s name, and resolutions/ordinances are separate from the county or city/town legislative body.
• Many Washington statutes declare the district as a municipal or quasi-municipal corporation.
• Enabling statutes establish the district as an independent taxing authority and a taxing district under state Constitution.
• Districts are recognized as a corporate body with powers including hiring, contracting, and legal actions.

Read More: List of Regions in United States

Summary – Special District in United States

Special districts are local governments focused on specific functions like libraries, hospitals, or utilities. They handle various tasks such as conservation, fire control, and flood control. Unlike school districts, they are not always considered special districts but have similar structures. Most special districts have the authority to levy taxes on residents within their jurisdiction. Elections in special districts can coincide with state or county elections or happen separately. Boards of special districts can consist of elected officials or citizens appointed by the municipal government. The boundaries of special districts may cover parts of a city, county, or multiple counties, differing from other local governments.

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FAQs – Special District in United States

How many special districts are in the United States?

There are a total of 39,262 independent special districts in the United States of America which is the highest number ever.

What is the function of the special district in the United States?

Special districts mostly provide a single service such as education, cemeteries, transportation, or fire protection, and they usually are used for ongoing service provision including street lighting, park maintenance, and storm-drainage management rather than for one-time projects.

What is a special district in New York?

Special districts respond to specific conditions; each special district designated by the Commission stipulates zoning requirements and/or zoning incentives tailored to distinctive qualities that may not lend themselves to generalized zoning and standard development.

What are special districts in California?

Special districts are limited purpose local governments – separate from cities and counties. Within their boundaries, special districts provide focused public services such as fire protection, sewers, water supply, electricity, parks, recreation, sanitation, cemeteries, and libraries.

What are special districts in Texas?

In Texas, thousands of local governments called special purpose districts provide a variety of services including water conservation, toll roads, hospitals, libraries, utilities and fire control efforts.

What are special districts in Florida?

Special districts usually serve only a single-purpose and help Floridians when local or state government were either unable or unwilling to provide crucial services or programs to a community.

What is the rich district of NYC?

TriBeCa, an abbreviation for “Triangle Below Canal Street,” is a fashionable and affluent district in Lower Manhattan.

What is a special district in PA?

A special district is a unit of local government that unlike a city or county which has multiple purposes and multiple functions, a special district is created for a special purpose and operates in a specific jurisdiction.

What are special districts in Nevada?

Special districts are types of local government formed to provide services and infrastructure in their communities.

What is a special district in Arizona?

Special Taxing Districts are established pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 48, as political subdivisions of the state and are governed by an elected board. Additional statutory information can be found at the Arizona Legislature website.