North Carolina’s counties, cities, towns, and villages affect your life in many ways. Local governments:

• supply the water you drink and dispose of the trash you throw away.
• provide police and fire protection.
• operate parks and libraries.
• assist people in need.
• work to bring new jobs to your community.
• regulate how land is used and enforce state and local laws.

This resource describes how local governments serve your community and how you can help your local government build the kind of community you want to live in.