Kommakohtade

Kommakohtade is an Estonian term that translates to "municipalities" or "local governments." These are the basic administrative divisions of Estonia, responsible for managing local affairs within their geographical boundaries. Estonia is divided into 79 municipalities, which include both rural and urban units. Each municipality has its own elected council and an executive body, typically headed by a mayor.

The primary functions of kommakohtade include providing public services such as education, healthcare, waste management, and infrastructure maintenance. They also play a role in local planning, zoning, and economic development. Municipalities have the authority to levy local taxes and fees to fund their operations. The administrative reform of Estonian municipalities, which has occurred in phases, aims to create larger and more efficient local governments capable of providing a wider range of services and responding better to the needs of their residents. This process has led to the merger of smaller municipalities into larger ones, increasing their administrative capacity and resource base. The structure and powers of kommakohtade are defined by Estonian national legislation, primarily the Local Government Organization Act.