American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

In local government, what do line positions primarily do?

1. Stand in line for their paychecks.

2. Order general supplies.

3. Provide service to the public.

4. Arrest criminals and put out fires.

The correct answer is: Provide service to the public.

Line positions in local government are primarily focused on providing direct services to the public. These positions are essential for the daily operation of government functions as they deal with the implementation of policies and programs that serve the community. Employees in line positions typically work in various public-facing roles, such as public safety, public works, and social services, directly interacting with citizens and addressing their needs. The other options present activities that may fall outside the core responsibilities of line positions. For example, while ordering general supplies is a necessary function, it is more characteristic of support staff or administrative roles rather than direct service roles. Similarly, while arresting criminals and putting out fires are critical public safety functions, they represent a specific subset of line positions, whereas providing a broader range of services covers multiple areas of local government work that enhance community well-being. Hence, the correct answer captures the essence of what line positions do in the context of local government.