Council-Manager Form of Government
Council-Manager
Form of Government
Observations and Notes on the Council-Manager Form of
Government in Michigan
Written and Compiled by
Alfred Brock
"An
educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free
people."
Thomas Jefferson
Contents
Chapter 1 – History of the Council-Manager Form of
Government
Chapter 2 – Duties and
Responsibilities of the City Council in a Council-Manager Form of Government
Chapter 3 – A City
Councilperson in a Council-Manager Form of Government and Environmental
Justice
Chapter 4 – Duties and
Responsibilities of a City Manger in a Council-Manager Form of Government
Chapter 5 – Duties and
Responsibilities of a Citizen in a Council-Mayor Form of Government
Chapter 1 – History of the Council-Manager Form of
Government
The Council-Manager form of government is a commonly used
method of local government in the United States. It was developed in response
to the obvious problems of the authoritarian Mayor-Council form. In that form of local government the mayor is
both the chief executive and the political leader of the city or town. The
Council-Manager form features a design to provide able and professional
management. This provides all the
advantages of a depoliticized administrative structure. This improves efficiency, allows for
mearningful accountability and accurate responsiveness in the local governments
that practice it.
The history of the Council-Manager form of local government
does not go back that far. It can be
traced, at least, to the early 20th century:
In Staunton, Virginia
(1908) the Council-Manager form is believed to have begun. In 1908, Staunton hired their then city
manager, a man by the name of William D. Boyce, to oversee the day-to-day
operations of the city. This adaptation in local government was immediately
successful and gained attention as a potential model for other municipalities
in the immediate area. This is important
because in Virginia they have another unique feature of local government. Staunton is an example of what is referred to
as an ‘Independent City’. Independent
Cities are separated from County Government.
In 1912 Sumter, South Carolina adopted the Council-Manager
form of government. Sumter became the
first city to ‘officially’ adopt this system as a designated process. Sumter
did this in order to adopt a council-manager government for a more professional
and non-partisan approach to municipal management.
In 1913, Dayton, Ohio became the first of the larger
American cities to adopt the Council-Manager form of government. In that year a
city manager was appointed to run the city's affairs while the elected city
commission then focused on policy-making and legislative matters.
Other municipalities soon followed the examples set by
Staunton, Sumter, and Dayton and include other cities such as Topeka, Kansas
(1919) and Phoenix, Arizona (1920) by adopting the Council-Manager form of
government.
In 1921 Summit, Michigan, became the first city in Michigan
to adopt the council-manager form of government. Other communities in the state
did the same in rather quick succession and the model has maintained its popularity
more than 100 years later.
In the mid-20th century the Council-Manager system gained
popularity as more cities sought to modernize their government processes by
adapting their internal structures and improve efficiency. The process gained
recognition for its emphasis on professional management, accountability, and
separation of powers between the elected council and the appointed city
manager. This allowed for a more reasonable
approach to business matters and development.
It also occurred coincidently with increased attention being given to
municipal responsibilities like sanitation, roadways, water, public safety and
other essential services needed by the local populace.
Here in the first quarter of the 21st Century the
Council-Manager form has become one of the most prevalent forms of municipal
government in the United States. Today, cities and towns across the country use
this system. They include small towns to
large metropolitan areas.
The Council-Manager form of government is popular because it
is able to provide professional management, efficiency and reduced risk of corruption. The Council-Manager process also heads off
most of the pressures from political influence in day-to-day administration. This
political influence mentioned her might best be recognized at what is often
referred to as political interference and, in its worse form, political
corruption. Just as with any system the success
of the Council-Manager form of government is dependent upon the commitment and
effectiveness of the city manager as well as the abilities and engagement of
the elected officials on the council engaged in this partnership. In the best of these examples success is
shown repeatedly to hinge on the partners working together for the betterment
of the community.
Chapter 2 – Duties and Responsibilities of the City
Council in a Council-Manager Form of Government
Policy Making
In the council-manager form of government a city council is
the legislative body. Their important
role is representing the interests of the community. Their crucial role over time is making policy
decisions. In the State of Michigan the duties and responsibilities of a city
council in the council-manager form of government are various and include the
following items.
The city council is responsible for policy making. That means they will establish policies and
ordinances to govern the city. These duties include making, or setting aside
and amending local laws, regulations, and codes to address the many issues that
impact residents. They are also
responsible to promote the well-being of residents.
Policy making at the local level refers to the process of
creating and implementing rules, regulations, and decisions that govern a
specific city, town, or municipality. Local policies are designed to address
various issues, improve community well-being, and guide the actions of local
government agencies and residents. Policy making at the local level involves
several key steps:
What is policy making?
Well, local policy making begins by identifying challenges, needs and
opportunities within and for the community. Issues can be infrastructure
development and public safety or all the way to social services and environmental
concerns.
Once issues are identified, the City Council is supposed to
provide Research and Analysis services on behalf of their constituents. Whether they do it themselves or contract it
out these local policymakers will gather data and conduct necessary research to
understand root causes and outline potential solutions to problem. When they do
not have the skills or experiences themselves they will be expected to seek
information on their own including eliciting input from experts, community
members and other stakeholders, like business owners and landowners to inform
their decisions.
Based on their research and analysis, policymakers will then
combine their Research and Analysis to develop policy proposals or projects to
work out the identified issues. The proposals can end up being ordinances,
resolutions, regulations or long term strategic plans and projects.
It is important for any part of local governments to seek
out public input and engagement. It is
much more important for City Councils to do this in order to ensure policies
align with the needs and preferences of the community. Public hearings,
community forums, surveys, and outreach efforts allow residents to express
their opinions and provide feedback while also creating a meaningful platform
for citizens to participate in their government and have a sense of real
community.
At some point the proposed policies will be presented to the
local governing body, in our general example for this book that governing body
will be the city council and city manager, or, if designated, a board of
commissioners as those found in a Planning Commission or Historical Commission.
These individual bodies should review, deliberate among themselves and with the
public as well as make changes to the proposals as needed before adopting them or
forwarding them to others to adopt as official policies.
Once the policies go through these processes and are
eventually adopted the local government agencies and departments will work to
implement them. This part of the work may involve allocating resources,
establishing new programs or modifying existing practices to align with the
policy objectives.
In the Council-Manager form of government much of the work
of deliberation is carried out by the Council while the physical manifestation,
or work, of the policies will be carried out under the direction and
supervision of the City Manager.
Once all this happens it is time for monitoring and evaluation. Whether it is a new project to clean up parks
or replace of all the lead water supply lines in a municipality it is up to
the local policymakers to continuously
monitor the implementation and impact of these policies. They should be assessing
over time whether the desired outcomes are being achieved or if any adjustments
or improvements are needed.
Over time, of course, local policies will need to be revised
or updated. This is so that they can be
developed to match changing circumstances, address new challenges or reflect
evolving community priorities. Examples
of policy changes like this may include switching from one source of energy to
another.
Local policies are of several types and include the
following.
Zoning and land use regulations are intended to dictate over
time how land can be developed. This
includes the types of buildings and uses allowed in specific areas. This work leads to the protection of green
spaces and is a major tool in providing healthy environments for citizens. Zoning and land use can also help businesses
make wise decisions in where to place their investments and do their work. Building a potentially polluting facility on
wetlands, for example, would be a bad business decision. Zoning wetlands to allow that to happen is
an example of bad policy execution.
Public safety policies are also important products of the
City Council as they address issues related to law enforcement, emergency
services, and community safety initiatives.
All of these services are of direct interest to citizens due to the
costs associated with them which appear to the citizens normally as taxes.
Outlining programs for affordable housing, homelessness
support, healthcare and other social welfare services are all examples of
Social services policies.
Environmental policies include promoting sustainability,
waste management, recycling programs, pollution control measures and also take
into account, in the 21st Century, something called Environmental
Justice. We will talk more about
Environmental Justice in separate chapter.
Setting up the environment to encourag business growth,
provid incentives for investment and support local entrepreneurship are
examples of Economic Development policies.
Local policy making is an important part of the work done by
a City Council in Council-Manager form of government. This aspect of local government directly
impacts the lives of residents and the development of the community from soup
to nuts.
The city council has a central role in budgeting. It is
their responsibility to review and approve the city's budget which is compiled
under the direction of the City Manager who then proposes it to Council. The
city budget outlines the financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year and
includes the amounts set aside to each of the departments and any programs or
projects the city as a governing agency is engaged in.
Probably the most important action any City Council in a
city governed by the Council-Manager form of government is the selection and
approval and appointment of the City Manager.
The City Manager any city selects is normally chosen from a pool of
highly qualified individuals who are experts in the field of public
administration, finance and municipal government. A City Council will be responsible for
choosing that candidate most able to use their leadership abilities in a
positive and unifying fashion that is inclusive. This is very important because the work that
the City Manager does is not as simple as counting how much money one
department gets. The work the City
Manager does is a complex mix of finance, investment, business, private
interest, community events, community involvement, public relations, government
cooperation with other government entities from local to county to state and
federal. Some City Managers have and
maintain long term international relations as well as the cities they are
managing have international interests whether financial or mercantile.
Choosing and working with their City Manager in a positive
way is one of the best techniques that a City Council as a body and City
Council Members as individuals can serve the constituents and businesses in
their community.
After the City Council appoints a city manager the City
Council is responsible to ensure that performance expectations are being
met. This is normally done annually and
should be kept free and independent of any impending contractual obligations. This is a unique circumstance and different
from what look like similar evaluations in the private sector. The city manager role is filled by an
individual who is a qualified and professional administrator. They are responsible for overseeing the
day-to-day operations of the city government. The council sets performance
expectations for the city manager in relation to the specific city and
circumstances that are being administered.
The circumstances for a city dependent upon one industry or even one
company and the citizens to generate revenue will be different for a city with
a diverse business base and a multiethnic population. The City Council develops the means for evaluating
the performance of the City Manager in relation to the specific circumstances
of their own unique city environment.
The city council would also monitor the implementation of
policies and ordinances to ensure they are being carried out effectively. They
may request reports and updates from the city manager from time to time on different
matters to assess progress and address any concerns. Normally this process is incorporated into
some regular report(s) provide by the City Manager to the City Council
depending on circumstance.
Another role City council members carry out is as
representatives of their community. They
are responsible for voicing the concerns and needs of their constituents. They are
expected to engage with residents and hold public meetings to understand and
address issues facing the city. They
will also participate in community events either to understand and address the
issues facing the city or join in the celebrations of the people they work with
and represent.
The city council also participates in long-term strategic
planning for the city. Often this work
includes setting the goals and objectives that align with the community's
vision and values. At this point they work with the city manager to establish
priorities about these things, discuss the financial aspects of them and finally
ensure the city is moving in the desired direction.
On a regular basis the city council reviews and approves
contracts for city services, projects, and purchases. They ensure that these
contracts are in the best interest of the city by keeping up with similar
offerings for and to other communities and through the general business
world. They will work to ensure that any
contracts or agreements made comply with legal requirements.
City Council Members will be take an interest in Land Use
and Zoning issues by being ultimately responsible for zoning decisions,
including rezoning requests, conditional use permits, and other land-use
matters. They will set up and oversee the staffing of planning and zoning
commissions and collaborate with them to regulate development and land use
within the city.
A responsive City council will have members who actively
engage with residents, businesses, and community organizations to gather
feedback. This is a necessary part of
taking steps to address concerns and foster public cooperation, when necessary,
and to involve the public in the decision-making process.
If the city operates under a city charter, the city council
may propose amendments to the charter which will be subject to approval by the
electorate through a referendum conducted during an election. The City Council is ultimately responsible
for keeping the City Charter up to date and to reflect fair and equal
representation for all residents regardless of race, creed, national origin,
age or physical or mental ability.
In general a City Council in the council-manager form of
government will act as the voice of the community. The council will work to shape the city's
policies and oversee the management of the city through the city manager’s to ensure
effective and efficient governance is reaching all of the residents as
necessary.
Chapter 3 – A City Councilperson in a
Council-Manager Form of Government and Environmental Justice
At this juncture in history everyone should be able to appreciate
the concept of Environmental Justice.
Environmental justice refers to the idea and practice of the
concept that calls for fair and equitable treatment of all individuals and
communities, regardless of race, ethnicity, income or socioeconomic status in
the realms of municipal development, implementation and the ultimate enforcement
of or use of environmental policies and regulations. Environmental justice
fundamentally recognizes that over time certain areas have borne a
disproportionate burden of environmental hazards, pollution and degraded
natural resources. In many cases these
areas have been noted to be inhabited by individuals and communities known to
be historically marginalized and disadvantaged.
The ideas and realities that environmental justice includes
are detailed following.
Environmental justice steps up the need for fairness and
equal protection under environmental laws and regulations and so is deeply
entwined with equity. No community should be required to shoulder greater
environmental burdens than others or be excluded from enjoying environmental
benefits due to income levels or even location.
Environmenal justice makes the natural connection between
environmental quality and public health. The work builds a framework to address
the adverse health effects resulting from exposure to environmental hazards
such as air and water pollution, toxic waste sites and industrial facilities.
Some City Councils are or become the default Board of Health. Unfortunately many remain ignorant of this
and approvals and work that appear to be governed solely by economic reasons
may be passed without considering the environmental health aspects of a
specific project. It is the ultimate
responsibility of private enterprise to ensure that they are not siting a
facility dangerous to the health and wellbeing of a population before it is
even brought to consideration before Planning or Zoning. Failing that, as happens when a project is
based solely on financials and segregates out the importance of public health
the only way for a community effectively protect itself from harm to its
citizens is to ensure that the project is viewed from the perspective of public
health. The ideas and concepts included
within Environmental Justice are the framework that a City Council Member can
use to understand what is happening now and can then determine the next steps
that are best for all.
Environmental justice encourages active participation of
communities in decision-making processes. This process takes as a stepping off
point the value of the voices and perspectives of those living in areas that
will be disproportionately impacted by environmental issues and includes them
in developing solutions. These solutions
may include denial of the activity or changes in the design and implementation
of the site or final facility.
A City Council Member familiar with Environmental Justice
will work to ensure access to information for everyone involved. The practice places a high regard on
individuals to maintain and offer access to information about environmental
hazards and risks that come along with development or some project. Transparent
communication allows communities as well as individuals to make informed
choices and advocate for their rights effectively.
It is not the responsibility of a City Council Member to
ensure that every decision is based on the necessity for increasing tax income
from land use permits and eventual production facilities.
The actions included under Environmental Justice promote
preventive measures first in order to immediately avoid environmental harm
rather than merely reacting to crises. By first considering the potential
impacts of policies and projects in advance a City Council Member can work to
avert negative consequences. The costs
of cleanup are obviously higher than avoiding the situation in the first
place. The costs of environmental damage
to personal property, families, young children and the social fabric of a community
far outweigh any proposed short-term gain.
A Council Member working through the lens of Environmental
justice can support sustainable practices that promote long-term environmental
and social well-being. These projects
and policies are now proven to satisfy the underlying need for revenue
generation without causing social upheaval or potential physical and mental
harm to local residents. A Council
Member engaged in this manner with community development encourages environmentally responsible development
and resource management to meet the needs of the present without compromising
the welfare, wealth, health and needs of future generations.
The ideas around Environmental Justice have roots in the
civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
At that time it became apparent that minority and low-income communities
were struggling under disproportionate environmental burdens they were placed
under. The land in these communities was often available for lower cost and these
communities often lacked political power and resources. As a consequence polluting industries and
hazardous waste facilities appeared in higher than normal numbers in these
neighborhoods.
At present the lessons learned from the roots of this
problem circumstances have led to communities that have been historically
considered middle-income and even affluent to be exposed to this sort of
development technique. In some
communities a simple turn of events or the arrival of one or two polluting companies
can tip a relatively affluent community into ruin. It goes without saying that communities that
have even fewer resources can be devastated and their families literally suffer
immediately as well as over generations.
Clearly, that is not fair.
The term Environmental Justice itselt appears to have shown
up sometime during the 1980s. Since
then it has gained recognition as a means to identify specific behaviors
between private enterprise and government agencies that either through
practice, accident or specific intention lead to what can only be called
environmental, social and economic disaster.
Now more work is being done in the fields of public policy,
finance, investment, industry, various academic fields and has spurred a wide
and varying type of activism. A main aspect of Environmental Justice seeks to
address environmental racism which can be identified as the unequal
distribution of environmental hazards that can be identified by race. This can be done by observing on a map, for
example, that polluting activities are based in an area with high percentage of
one race or another. There also exists
evidence that disproportionate impacts occur in low-income communities.
Environmental
Justice is a very important topic and can be problematic to a City Council
member because a small amount of study clearly indicates that it is closely
tied up the Planning and Zoning work that local communities use as a norm when
considering development plans. A
challenge it seems, for governments that represent the people, is to actually
acknowledge the people they represent and serve.
Those engaged in this work towards policy changes and
practices that promote environmental protection and equal treatment for all
communities. There is a necessity to not only challenge institutionalized
patterns of land use within a community but to fundamentally change them. When land availability and the costs
associated with them are valued more than the individual lives of citizens than
change is necessary. When the social
connections afforded by community and long term neighborhoods are cast aside because
a local developer fills out some forms and buys land to build a 350 foot tall
landfill that will destroy pollute the air, water and earth of the surrounding
area then change is critical.
Any City Council Member who happens upon environmental
justice as a matter of policy should view environmental justice as a critical
and multifaceted issue that requires thoughtful consideration. In order to do anything about it will require
a proactive response. That is because
most of these thorny developmental issues are still being processed through the
system as if it is normal to destroy a neighborhood or allow neighbors to
proposed project to suffer negative health impacts just because the zoning map
says so. At present it may appear
difficult to ensure fair treatment and equitable distribution of environmental
benefits and burdens within your community but if you do nothing it is likely
nothing will be done.
As times change this situation will change.
In the meantime what sorts of reasons would you have to carry out this
work? It turns out, as you would
imagine, there are quite a few. As it
further turns out all of them are at the core of good government and democratic
principles based on the republic of our nation.
They are all great local and self-governing elements. Let’s look at some of them.
It is important to ensure that the principle of equity is
applied. This aims to ensure that no
particular group or community bears a disproportionate burden of environmental
hazards, pollution or degraded natural resources.
An example of a community targeted, either through process,
ignorance or purposefully might be a quiet community of 300 residents of median
to low income who happen to live on land and in homes that have not changed
hands for decades so the real estate value is falsely low. The population of this group might be made of
families and individuals all of which either have children at home and/or are
carrying for elderly relatives. In this
example the zoning of the neighboring area is changed to Heavy Industrial in
order to accommodate a large polluting use that will create a great deal of
noise and dust while also destroying most of the local forest cover and
polluting a local creek that flows into a local river which ultimately
contributes to the drinking water resources of the entire region.
Even as we see the difficulties here normal practice
obscures all of these real dangers and impacts because none of them are
normally considered during Planning and Zoning.
The people living in such an area are effectively made to be invisible,
as if they did not live there, in order to fulfill the needs spurred by the
change of a letter designation on a map.
In order to be effective as a City Council Member in a situation
like this you would have the responsibility to study the area and after recognizing
that because historically marginalized and low-income communities often
experience a higher concentration of environmental risks and lesser access to
environmental benefits that others need to be made aware of that fact before
serious errors are made.
Clearly, decisions that directly impact citizens should not
leave them out of the loop. As an aside,
the example given above might be termed ‘NIMBY’ which stands for ‘Not In My
Back Yard’ and is used as a derogatory term to shame people uncomfortable with
the negative economic and health benefits of a polluting facility near their
home. I say this example might be termed
‘NIMBY’ but in point of fact if we review the example again and see that the
Planning and Zoning were changed in order to accommodate this project that it
can be referred to as ‘PIMBY’ which would stand for ‘Please In My Back Yard’ –
which in itself would be technically wrong because the residents in the example
were not included in the decisions leading to the eventual environmental
disaster that will impact their lives over decades if they do not leave of
their own accord.
As a Council Member engaged in such a circumstance it would
be your duty to address and remove the disparities.
In some cases a City Council will be the default Board of
Health. If that is the case then the
City Council Members would all be members of the Local Board of Health which
would be governed by whatever superior board of health there is. It may be county or otherwise. No matter where the ultimate public health
responsibility lies in regards to the community in question it is clear that
decisions affecting the health and wellbeing of the citizens cannot be made
without considering their health and wellbeing.
There is also a consideration under Environmental justice
that is closely related to public health outcomes. As a Council Member you would
have an understanding that exposure to
environmental hazards can lead to adverse health effects which include but are
not limited respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues and other chronic
illnesses. In some cases the impact of
environmental hazards can impact reproductive health. In the event some of the materials can cause
birth defects, slow development or impact the ultimate learning capability of
the children some I think you might agree some response should be made. Using abortion as a method to deal with birth
defects caused by known mutagens is not an efficient use of government
resources. Forcing citizens to sell
their homes in order to pay for treatment to deal with adverse health effects
from pollutants is not a reasonable way to grow a community nor support medical
research.
In short, the prioritization of environmental justice equates
to the safeguard of public health. It
requires recognizing, reducing and eliminating disparities in health outcomes
among different communities.
In to address environmental justice in a community the City
Council Member will need to reach out through Community Engagement. Topics to include in these outreach
activities and community events would include discussion of the importance of
community engagement itself by citizens and their involvement in the decision-making
processes. It is necessary to gather input and responses from affected
communities. It is important to listen
to their concerns and needs in order to involve them in shaping policies and
projects that impact their environment and well-being. Please keep in mind that they will not have
marketing representatives, legal advisors or detailed plans on expressing their
needs and expressing their fears or even know the imminent dangers they will
face. All of that information would be
up to you to present to them as their government representative.
A tool you might use as a City Council Member to engage with
your community through the Environmental Justice lens is through an Environmental
Policy Review. This is a practive where
you would evaluate existing environmental policies, regulations, and practices
within the city to identify any inequities or areas where improvements are
needed. You may discover that nothing has ever been done and you are the locus
and starting point for it. You may need
to take steps to carry out an environmental justice assessment in order to
gauge how policies have historically impacted different areas in your community
or different communities in your area – whichever the case may be.
As you work further into the situation and learn more about
environmental hazards that already exist in your community you would begin the
process to mitigate them. The initial steps could include supporting measures intended
to reduce air and water pollution.
Identify contamination and steps to remediate it. In the long term it will be necessary to promote
sustainable land use practices.
Another long term goal is to establish Equitable Access to
Resources. Access to green spaces, clean
air and safe drinking water are essential components of environmental justice
and should not be dependent only upon ability to pay. There should not be First or Second Class Air
Quality Standards. Everyone has a right
to breathe fresh air. Unfortunately not
everyone recognizes this right, and so, you will then advocate for equitable
distribution of environmental resources throughout the city for everyone.
Again, as the long term comes more into focus as a goal
rather than an impediment Sustainable Development as an ideal will become important. At that point the promotion of sustainable
development practices becomes a priority. You can advocate for policies that
encourage environmentally responsible urban planning, transportation, and
energy use while ensuring a more sustainable future for all residents. It sounds terribly involved and expensive but
the reality is that it is all common sense and is the roadmap to prosperity and
healthy living. Prosperity and health
living are not mutually exclusive.
To work together towards establishing and strengthening
Environmental Justice in your community you can work to build Collaborative
Partnerships. That is where you get to
work with local community organizations, environmental groups, academic
institutions and other stakeholders to leverage expertise and resources in
addressing environmental justice challenges effectively. You will find that the services you have to
offer are in demand and you will find many services at your disposable that you
were unaware of.
Environmental Education is a very important aspect of all of
this. Taking steps to promote
environmental education and awareness within the community is essential. Residents
are empowered residents by knowledge about environmental issues. By sharing this information will begin then foster
a more informed and engaged public.
Everything needs to be measured. By monitoring the situations in different
ways you will be able to assure accountability for the actions taken by civic
authorities – whether they are on the Planning Commission or work directly for
the City Government. You will be able to
keep track of accountability by private enterprises. Just because they are a private business does
not grant them the right to create a public calamity. By monitoring and evaluating what is going on
locally you will be able to fashion and sustain lasting and effective
environmental justice policies that will be beneficial to all.
Approaching the work with wide view, interest and
understanding of environmental justice your work towards creating a more
sustainable, inclusive, and healthy environment for all residents of your city,
regardless of their socio-economic status or background will move towards
success and prosperity for all.
Chapter 4 – Duties and Responsibilities of a City
Manger in a Council-Manager Form of Government
In a Council-Manager form of government, the City Manager
serves as the chief executive officer and is responsible for the day-to-day
operations and administration of the city. The City Manager is in the position
of a professional administrator. They
are hired by the city council and act in a non-political, neutral role. They may be an obvious public figure in the
community they serve or may carry out their business role in the background
depending on the circumstances of their location.
The primary duties of a City Manager in a Council-Manager
form may include:
The City Manager is normally responsible for
implementing policies and directives
established by the city council. They oversee the various city departments and ensure
that city services are efficiently and effectively provided to residents. Departments that a City Manager may made
include the Department of Public Works, the Police Department, the Fire
Department, Emergency Services, Engineering and all of the departments that
operate under these departments. The
City Manager will also directly manage or assign others to manager (with
reporting instructions) various commissions and other groups that serve the
city. These others may include Library
Services, Historical Services and/or educational services of different
kinds. The work is varied and
complex.
The City Manager orchestrates the budgetary process from
beginning to end. They also set up the circumstances for the cycle to start
again. They will also have a grasp of the
general direction of activities and will be able to provide at least an
overview of expectations for next year, five years, ten years or possibly more
depending on the activities that are conducted in the community they manage.
A City Manager prepares the annual budget proposal and works with city
departments to allocate resources effectively based on the city's priorities
and needs. Throughout the fiscal year, the City Manager returns and reviews and
monitors the departments and other activities to keep an eye on expenditures
and their ultimate financial performance.
The City Manager oversees the hiring, training, and
performance evaluation of city employees.
If they do not work with those employees directly they will oversee the
process that is used by those other departments to ensure that those hired
become valued employees of the city workforce. They are responsible for
creating a professional and efficient workplace that will allow employees to
deliver quality services to the community.
They will be instrumental in ensuring adequate training is given to all
employees as required.
City Managers are involved in long-term strategic planning.
They will closely work with the city council to identify the goals, objectives
and initiatives in order to ensure they align with the community's vision and
priorities.
The City Manager serves as the principal advisor to the city
council. This targeted role has them
providing the city council with the information, data and recommendations on
various matters to aid in their decision-making process. This is a collaborative piece of the work
which requires a great deal of knowledge and skill with working alongside
people sometimes with very different skill sets.
City Managers will often find it part of their normal work
to deal with other local, regional, and state agencies to coordinate efforts on
issues that may transcend city boundaries, such as transportation, public
safety, public health and environmental matters.
City Managers interact with community members, businesses,
and organizations directly and through specially selected and delegated staff
in order to understand their needs and concerns. They engage in public outreach
and communication efforts to ensure transparency and foster community
involvement in decision-making by their own office as well as those of all the
departments that report to them.
City Managers negotiate and oversee contracts with vendors
of all sizes. They also address service
providers and the services they offer to the city in order to ensure the city
is receiving the best quality service at prices provided. A city manager will also work with other
entities to ensure the city is no par with neighboring communities as regards
to technology, services and equipment.
During emergencies or crises, the City Manager takes charge
of coordinating response efforts and ensuring the continuity of essential
services. These efforts can and often due, in times of crises, transcend the
physical boundaries of the city as the city may need to request assistance from
without or be called on to send resources, personnel or equipment to
neighboring communities, or, in rare instances of State or Regional crises,
even farther afield.
City Managers work at all time to ensure that city operations and policies
comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
The City Manager is the point person when it comes to ensuring
that policies approved by the city council are executed effectively and consistently
throughout the city's operations.
Taking the wide view we see that the City Manager's role is
to lead the city administration in a professional and accountable manner. They work to align efforts with the city
council's vision while promoting efficiency and effectiveness in providing
services to the community. All of this
is done with care to not interrupt any current work or initiatives. This
separation of powers between elected officials and professional administrators
is a fundamental characteristic of the Council-Manager form of government. It is, by design, used to promote good
governance and avoid undue political influence in day-to-day operations.
Chapter 5 – Duties and Responsibilities of a
Citizen in a Council-Mayor Form of Government
Citizens have a vital role in a Council-Manager form of
government. It is the democratic process
in action. Citizens have and can enjoy
have several important duties and responsibilities. Being an active participant
in the community is a responsibility citizens can use to shape local policies,
contribute to decision-making, and hold elected officials and administrators
accountable. The ultimate power lies in the hands of the Citizens.
Some important duties citizens have in a Council-Manager
form of government follow.
First and foremost one of the primary duties of citizens is
to exercise their right to vote in local elections. By learning about and then
voting for city council members that they have found are hardworking and
honest, as well as voting for other local officials when possible, citizens can
leave their direct stamp on the composition of the governing body that will
make policy decisions.
Citizens should be encouraged to attend city council
meetings, public hearings, and community forums. Citizens who express their ideas, make
comments or offer constructive criticism are the life blood of a democracy. The
public meetings provide opportunities for citizens to voice their opinions,
concerns, and ideas on the many issues that can affect the community.
It is essential for citizens to stay informed about local
government matters. These include
longstanding as well as upcoming policies, budget decisions, and proposed
projects. Citizens can accessing a great deal of information through local newspapers,
city websites, and official announcements helps citizens make informed
decisions and engage more effectively.
Citizens may also contact their elected officials directly by talking to
them at meetings, sending a letter or sending an email or using other methods.
Citizens actively engaging with community organizations and
advocacy groups focused on various issues such as environmental conservation,
public safety, education, and social welfare are aware of what is going on in
the community. Joining these groups allows citizens to collaborate with
like-minded individuals and collectively advocate for positive change and help
to maintain community stability.
The feedback and input provided by citizens during the
policy-making process is very, very important. Citizens can submit written
comments, attend public hearings and engage directly with elected officials and
city staff to ensure their perspectives are considered in decision-making.
It is the Citizens who have a responsibility to support
elected officials who align with their values and vision for the community.
Equally important to everyone is holding elected officials accountable for
their actions, decisions, and promises made during campaigns or during the
normal course of work. Words must be followed
by action and citizens can make sure that happens or find out why.
Educated Citizens are important to the vitality of any
community. By educating themselves and
each other about local government processes, policies and the Council-Manager citizens
will not only fully understand how their city operates but what to do to make
better. Civic education helps citizens become more effective advocates for
their interests and their community's well-being.
Citizens should become in the habit of reporting any issues or they have about
the community or anywhere in it.
Reporting items about infrastructure maintenance needs, safety hazards
or environmental concerns can lead to solutions early on and avoiding costly or
dangerous delays. Promptly reporting such matters helps city officials address
them in a timely manner.
Citizens are able to contribute to the betterment of their
community by volunteering. Whether they
are local initiatives, participating in neighborhood cleanups, supporting local
charities or engaging in community service projects citizens will gain
knowledge and be able to express their wants and needs to others in a safe and
collaborative environment.
Engaged Citizens can encouraging civil discourse and
respectful dialogue among community members and community leaders. This fosters an inclusive and welcoming
environment. Citizens contribute to positive community culture by engaging in
constructive conversations about local issues.
By actively participating in the democratic process and
fulfilling these duties, citizens in a Council-Manager form of government carry
out their essential role in shaping the direction and well-being of their city
and thereby make it a better place for everyone.
Chapter 6 – Duties and Responsibilities of a Mayor in a Council-Manager
Form of Government
In a Council-Manager form of government the Mayor’s role is
that of a member of the city council first.
The Mayor holds a certain type of leadership role that comes along with
distinct duties. In each city using the Council-Manager form of government the
Mayor's exact responsibilities vary depending on the city's charter and local
ordinances.
Some of the more common duties assigned to Mayor in a
Council-Manager form of government follow.
The Mayor presides over city council meetings. Their role is to keep the ball rolling while
ensuring they are smoothly run. They maintain order in order to keep the
meeting going in an efficient manner.
They will recognize speakers and ask specific questions in or to
facilitate discussions on agenda items.
The Mayor sometimes works in some manner with the City Clerk
or another staff member in order to set the agenda for council meetings. The
agenda outlines the topics to be discussed, ordinances to be considered, and
reports to be presented. There is
usually very little if any variation of the flow of the meeting, in regards to
topics covered, but there may be some special item or commendation that is
added that the Mayor may read.
Acting as ceremonial head of the city, the Mayor may represent
the community at official functions, public events and civic ceremonies. From
time to time when the work is connected to city business or needs they may
represent the city in regional or state-level meetings and events.
The Mayor may serve as the spokesperson for the city. They may,
after confirming the content of the remarks with all concerned, communicate
with the media and the public, providing information on council decisions, city
initiatives and other matters.
The Mayor normally advocates for the city's interests and
priorities at the regional, state and national levels. They may engage with
other government officials, community leaders and organizations to advance the
city's goals that have been agreed upon by the Council.
While the Mayor holds a type of leadership position they
must work collaboratively with the City Manager and city staff. The Mayor does
not have direct administrative authority.
The Mayor works within the council-manager framework according to their
ability and the city’s needs.
In some council-manager systems, the Mayor may have the
authority to cast a tie-breaking vote in council decisions when necessary. As the Mayor has one vote as a member of
council this sort of activity would occur naturally if the Mayor votes last on
a tie position.
The Mayor may have the authority to appoint council members
to various committees or commissions, which work on specific issues and
policies. This authority may be devolved
to include approval by the City Council or include recommendations from the
city administration staff.
The Mayor should take various steps to encourage community
involvement. The Mayor should take
actions and model behavior that fosters a sense of civic pride among residents.
They may launch their own initiatives to promote volunteerism and community
engagement.
The Mayor participates in various ceremonial functions, such
as ribbon-cutting events, proclamations and public commemorations.
The Mayor, as any Council Member, should collaborate with
other council members to build consensus on issues, make policy decisions and
guide the city's direction collectively.
Specific duties and powers of the Mayor vary from one
Council-Manager system to another. This
is dependent upon the city's charter, local ordinances and local custom.
In a Council-Manager form of government the Mayor typically
serves as a member of the council. The
Mayor normally does not possess executive powers over the city's day-to-day
administration.
Executive powers over the city’s day-to-day administration
in a Council-Manager form of government are the sole responsibility of the City
Manager.
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