Practice Test Geeks(CMC) Certified Municipal Clerk Practice Test
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Public Administration Flashcards

7 cards from real CMC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Public Administration flashcards as text

  1. Which act established the merit system for federal civil service and is considered the foundation of modern public personnel administration?

    Answer: Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883

    The Pendleton Act replaced the patronage system with merit-based hiring for federal employees, creating the foundation for modern civil service.

  2. When a city manager form of government is used, the city manager is primarily accountable to:

    Answer: The city council

    In the council-manager form, the city manager is hired by and accountable to the elected city council, not directly to voters.

  3. A 'quorum' for a public body is BEST defined as:

    Answer: The minimum number of members required to conduct official business

    A quorum is the minimum number of members that must be present for a deliberative body to legally conduct business and take official action.

  4. Which concept describes the transfer of authority and decision-making power from a central government to lower-level units?

    Answer: Decentralization

    Decentralization pushes authority and responsibility down to lower organizational levels or smaller governmental units, increasing local autonomy.

  5. In public finance, 'debt service' refers to:

    Answer: Annual payments of principal and interest on outstanding bonds

    Debt service is the scheduled repayment of principal plus interest on a government's outstanding debt obligations.

  6. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), municipalities are required to:

    Answer: Ensure programs and services are accessible to individuals with disabilities

    The ADA requires local governments to make their programs, services, and activities accessible to people with disabilities, regardless of facility age.

  7. Which records management practice involves systematic destruction of records that have met their required retention period?

    Answer: Disposition

    Disposition is the final action taken with records after their retention period ends, which may include destruction, transfer to archives, or permanent preservation.