Special-purpose district

In general a special-purpose district is a government district like a municipality, county, etc. (general-purpose districts), but for a special purpose only. A good example of a special-purpose district would be the school-district. Special districts are sometimes created to deal with fire protection, sewage, or to manage water resources. These districts are usually much more flexible than the more geographically determined municipalities and townships.

There are two types of special-purpose districts. Some are independent, in that they are allowed to tax, and others are dependent in that they are not allowed to tax.

Examples

• Los Angeles Community College District, California
• Metropolitan School District of Perry Township, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
• Reedy Creek Improvement District, Florida

See also: business improvement district, municipality, off-budget enterprise, political science, quasi-autonomous non-government organisation, residential community association, township, United States federal judicial district,