Unitary authority

A unitary authority is a type of local authority, which has a single-tier and is responsible for all local government functions within its area. This is opposed to a two-tier system where local government functions are divided between different authorities.

United States

In the United States an Independent city is roughly equivalent to a unitary authority. The city might be separate from any county government, as in Virginia, or merged with a county government, as is common in Florida. In Alaska, dual-tier (county-municipality) government is rare. In Anchorage, Juneau, and Sitka, city governments are merged with their respective boroughs. In many other areas the only local government is the borough (effectively a unitary authority), and in some sparsely-populated areas there is no local government at all.

Related Topics:
United States - Independent city - Virginia - Florida - Anchorage - Juneau - Sitka - Boroughs

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