<P> Four areas have a "consolidated city - county" government: Columbus, since 1971; Athens, since 1991; Augusta, since 1996; and Macon, which was approved by voters in 2012 . </P> <P> Hawaii is the only U.S. state that has no incorporated municipalities . Instead it has four counties and the "consolidated city - county" of Honolulu . All communities are considered to be census - designated places, with the exact boundaries being decided upon by co-operative agreement between the Governor's office and the U.S. Census Bureau . </P> <P> Kalawao County is the second smallest county in the United States, and is often considered part of Maui County . </P> <P> In Louisiana, counties are called parishes; likewise, the county seat is known as the parish seat . The difference in nomenclature does not reflect a fundamental difference in the nature of government, but is rather a reflection of the state's unique status as a former French and Spanish colony (although a small number of other states once had parishes too). </P>

What are the parts of a county government