Unit5 Project

Running head: GOVERNING A PRIVATE ISLAND 1

Governing a Private Island

(Name)

(Course)

(Date)

(Professors name)

GOVERNING A PRIVATE ISLAND 2

Introduction

Having been left to oversee the running of a private island, I would have to make decisions on

how it will be governed and integrated into the existing state government. The island is home to

several communities, therefore it cannot be governed like private property, that is, everything

depending on my whim. Cooperation from these communities is essential in making the island a

successful government entity and there is no better way to ensure this than having a

representative government. However, the representative government would not be as is the case

in other local governments, in that, I would maintain the topmost leadership of the island so as to

continue the legacy of the former owner of the island. Allowing political forces to determine the

fate of the island through a fully democratic government may steer away from the course set by

the owner as leaders with different ideologies from his take over and impose their new ideologies

as law.

Structure and Form of the Government

To establish a successful government, it is important to first define its structure. Of the local

government structures adopted in most US territories, the township is the most appropriate for

the island. Being a territory with several communities, different services ranging from judicial,

law enforcement, tax administration, infrastructure development and safety will be necessary.

Allowing the decisions to be made by all citizens would require long discussions which might

end up not resolving any issue or allowing progress to be made (Dye, MacNamus, 2012, p. 345).

Therefore, having a township governed by an elected council will not only allow representation

but also efficient government. This is in tandem with the provisions of most state constitutions,

which makes the structure recognizable by the state government and therefore receive all the

necessary support to run.

GOVERNING A PRIVATE ISLAND 3

Unlike conventional townships, the island is private property but the residents must not be

treated as such. The form of government must therefore protect the residents while at the same

time not infringing on the liberties of the owners/trustees of the island. The owners on the other

hand cannot set their own rules which override the constitution in which they are located. A

compromise has to be established between managing the island as private property and leaving it

to political forces. I would implement this as a hybrid Council-Manager form of government.

Having been given the authority to govern the island, I would be the township manager while the

residents will have the power to vote representatives in the council who will also serve different

functions within the local government. the elections will be non-partisan to prevent state and

national party politics from affecting the township and maintain the focus of local leaders on

local issues for progressive development (Dye, MacNamus, 2012, p. 354). The various council

and executive positions, their corresponding roles and departments are discussed below.

The Township Executive/Administrator

As the executive of the township, I would not be succeeded through election but rather through

appointment. This is because of, as mentioned earlier, I would need to protect the legacy of the

islands owner. While the council will have a say in the government, I would maintain veto

powers and have to approve any change in the township laws. Security of tenure will facilitate

long-term development of the island while exclusion of the executive position from electoral

process will ensure succession by people loyal to the owner and who share in his ideologies, thus

the long-term goals will be pursued through generations of leaders. Veto powers will help the

executive in protecting the legacy and provide guidance to the council in terms of the direction

they should take in their decision-making and leadership roles. The holder of this role will also

be accountable to the people, being tasked with administration of all township laws and fiscal

GOVERNING A PRIVATE ISLAND 4

planning. However, the executive will also have to justify his/her decisions to the council and

seek their approval before implementing them, for example the township budget (Dye,

MacNamus, 2012, p. 349). I will be in charge of allocating land for courts, hospitals, roads, and

other requirements as well as have the final say in determining the kinds of businesses and

facilities which will be established in the township (Dye, MacNamus, 2012, p. 342-343).

The Mayor

A mayor will be elected by the residents as will be the council members. While the township

manager/executive will maintain oversight, the mayor will chair the council and help build

consensus in it. He will have equal voting rights as all council members but will serve the role of

harmonizing all the functions and a link between the elected council and the appointed township

manager. Given the differences in tenure, functions and priorities of these two arms, there is

bound to be differences and the mayor will act as the mediator, attempting to reach a

compromise between the manager’s private property interests and the council’s democratic and

political interests. This would effectively make the government a hybrid manager-mayor form of

government (Dye, MacNamus, 2012, p. 350).

The Sheriff, Law enforcement and Correction System

A sheriff will be elected by the residents to oversee law enforcement and maintain a correctional

facility in the island. His first duty will be to advice the administrator on recommendations for

the structure and facilities of law enforcement and correction. He will liaise with the state

government to integrate the island into the law enforcement and jail systems of the state since the

island is a location within the state. Also, he will be responsible for appointment to fill the

positions in his department but some of the appointments will be subject to approval by the

council and may be vetoed by the administrator (Dye, MacNamus, 2012, p. 344).

GOVERNING A PRIVATE ISLAND 5

Township Attorney and the Judicial System

A court will be established to handle judicial matters in the island with the township attorney

(equivalent of county attorney) responsible for criminal investigation and prosecution of

violators. State laws will be applied and any matters that cannot be resolved by this court will be

referred to the state judiciary. The attorney will advise the administrator on appointments to the

court, and which will be vetted by the council.

Township Clerk

The holder of this office will be responsible for keeping records of all legal documents including

deeds, marriages, divorce, birth, death, mortgages and election results.

Tax Assessor and collector

A tax assessor will be elected by the people to assess the value of property and determine the

amount of taxes that should be paid by business owners in the island. Being a private island,

business owners will have leased land and other property from the owner, therefore the tax

assessor will also be responsible for evaluating fees payable to the owners account by the

businesses in addition to taxes. Taxation will be consistent with state laws and remission of the

same will be taken with great importance to ensure the island remains a territory supported by

state policies and programs. The holder of the office will ensure taxes are collected as per the

assessment and remissions to the state and national governments are done accordingly.

Treasurer

The treasurer will be an appointed member of the council responsible for planning of funding of

township projects, dispersing funds for recurrent expenditure and reporting these tom the

council. He will maintain records of all income and expenditure. His decisions may be altered by

GOVERNING A PRIVATE ISLAND 6

the council or vetoed by the township administrator, requiring a revision and implementation of

their recommendations.

The Auditor

Also and elected council member, the auditor will maintain financial records and authorize

payment of the townships obligations. He will advise the administrator on efficient use of funds

and sit in the council meetings to vote on all policy decisions but his main interests will be in

finance.

All the council members will have equal votes, including the mayor, with the mayor

representing the township in state and higher jurisdictional matters. They will all have power to

appoint people working under them but their appointments may be overruled by the other council

members. Appointments by the administrator will also be subject to council scrutiny. All the

elected leaders will be professionals in the field covered by the departments which they will head

to ensure maximum efficiency (Dye, MacNamus, 2012, p. 342-344).

GOVERNING A PRIVATE ISLAND 7

References

Dye, T. R., & MacManus, S. A. (2012). Politics in states and communities (14th ed.). Upper

Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

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