Public Administration Flashcards

Which principle of public administration holds that each employee should receive orders from only one supervisor?

Answer: Unity of command

Unity of command means each subordinate reports to only one supervisor, preventing conflicting directives.

A municipal clerk notices that a council decision conflicts with a state statute. The clerk's BEST immediate action is to:

Answer: Notify the city attorney for legal review

The city attorney should review any potential conflict between local decisions and state law before implementation.

In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which level must be satisfied BEFORE an employee seeks esteem needs?

Answer: Social/belonging needs

Social (belonging) needs at the third level must be met before an individual pursues esteem needs at the fourth level.

Which budgeting approach requires every program to justify its entire budget from zero each cycle?

Answer: Zero-based budgeting

Zero-based budgeting (ZBB) starts each cycle from zero, requiring full justification for all expenditures.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) at the federal level primarily requires agencies to:

Answer: Disclose government records upon request

FOIA mandates that federal agencies disclose government records to the public upon request, with limited exemptions.

Which term describes the legal authority granted to a local government by the state to govern itself and enact local ordinances?

Answer: Home rule

Home rule grants municipalities authority to govern local affairs without requiring specific state legislative approval for each action.

An agenda item listed as 'executive session' is typically held to discuss:

Answer: Personnel matters or pending litigation

Executive (closed) sessions are legally permitted for sensitive topics such as personnel decisions, real estate negotiations, or pending litigation.