Examination of an Alternative System of Community Development through Analysis of the Special Districts in the United States

Abstract

This paper argues the possibility of introducing an alterative system of providing public facilities and services by analyzing the special districts (SPs) in the U.S. Although there are criticisms that the SPs have promoted fragmentation of the responsibilities of local governments and widened the gap among districts, the number of SPs has steadily increased over the decades. The authors analyze that the SPs secure three systems; to provide the special services that supplement or upgrade those provided by local governments, to charge to beneficiaries, and to reflect the payer's interests into its formation, operation and dissolution. The authors conclude that the new public entity to provide specific public services like the SPs could be one option when budgetary resources are limited and diversity of public service provision are requested.