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The Council-Manager Form of Government: <br />Answers to Your Questions <br /> <br />Q: What is the council-manager form of government, which is used in so many <br />cities, towns, and counties? <br /> <br />A.: The council-manager form is the system of local government that combines the <br />strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a governing body, with the <br />strong mam~gerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The governing <br />body, ~:ommonly known as the council, may also be referred to as the commission or the <br />board. The council-manager form establishes a representative system where all power is <br />concentrated in the elected council and where the council hires a professionally trained <br />manager to oversee the delivery of public services. <br /> <br />Q: Is it a responsive form of government? <br /> <br />A: In council-manager government, the mayor or chairperson of the governing body <br />and cuuncil members are the leaders and policy makers elected to represent the <br />community and to concentrate on policy issues that are responsive to citizens' needs and <br />wishes. The manager is appointed by the governing body to carry out policy and ensure <br />that the entire community is being served. If the manager is not responsive to the <br />gvve~fing body's wishes, the governing body has the authority to terminate the manager <br />at any time. In that sense, a manager's responsiveness is tested daily. <br /> <br />Q: Are all council-manager governments structured the same way? <br /> <br />A: No. One of the most attractive features is that the council-manager form is <br />adaptable to local conditions and preferences. For example, some communities have <br />councils that are elected at large while other councils are elected by district or by a <br />combination of an at-large and by-district structure. In some local governments the <br />mayor or chairperson is elected at large by the voters; others are elected by their <br />colleagues on the governing body. <br /> <br />Q: What is the council's function? <br /> <br />A: The council is the legislative body; its melnbers are the community's decision <br />matkcr.s. Power is centralized in the elected councii, which approves the budget and <br />determines the tax rate, for example. The council also focuses on the community's goals, <br />ma(jot projects, and such long-term considerations as community growth, land use <br />development, capital improvement plans, capitol financing, and strategic planning. The <br />~otm~:il hires a prol:essional manager to carry out the administrative responsibilities and <br />~ml)ervises the manager's performance. <br /> <br />-33- <br /> <br /> <br />