section_path: Government and politics/District municipalities
section_name: District municipalities
paragraph_text: District municipalities
  
  District municipalities are chiefly responsible for waste management and construction projectes within their respective districts, yet the law allows basically all services but critical infrastructure, such as public transportation and water management. They are independent from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and have their own budgets and structure with administrative autonomy to some extent. District municipalities and the metropolitan municipality often collaborate for local projects.
  
  Muhtar is the lowest-tier elected official in Turkey. Each neighborhood has a Muhtar, tasked with helping citizens in regards of bureaucracy and building a bridge between locals and the central government. They report to the civil administration and are the first authority to represent neighborhoods in public policy process.