A Comparative Case Study of Regional Councils of Government in Central and East Alabama

Abstract

Councils of Governments (COGs) are governmental units designed to provide regional coordination among local governments and assistance in obtaining grants from state and federal agencies. COGs are made up of county and municipal governments led by elected or appointed officials. The focus of this thesis is on the Lee-Russell Council of Governments (Lee and Russell counties) and the South Central Alabama Development Commission (Bullock, Butler, Crenshaw, Lowndes, Pike and Macon counties). Based on personal interviews with past and present mayors, city councils members, council board directors, professional staff and others, this thesis examines how the relationships of the councils and their constituents determine the benefits, and services the councils provide for the citizens under their jurisdictions, as well as barriers to such services.