In North Carolina county and city governments are authorized to provide specific services and functions.

As a town the government of  Matthews provides the following services:

Police

Fire & EMS

Garbage and Recycling

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities

Planning & Development for Our Community

Street Maintenance

Stormwater Services

Community Appearance

As a county, Mecklenburg County provides the following services:

Community Colleges

Planning & Development

Protection of Land, Air and Soil and Water Conservation

Juvenile Detention Homes

Medical Examiner/Coroner

Mental and Public Health

Public Schools

Library Services

Register of Deeds

Elections

Social Services

Sheriff Department

Veteran Services

Community Appearance

Tax Collection

(These lists are not exclusive)