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Q: Where does the mayor or chairperson of the governing body fit in? <br /> <br />A: Mayors or chairpersons in council-manager cormnunities are key political leaders <br />and policy developers and their duties, responsibilities, and authorities depend on the <br />organization's charter. In council-manager communities, typically the mayor or <br />chairpersYn presides at council meetings, serves as a spokesperson for the community, <br />facilitates communication and understanding between elected and appointed officials, <br />assists the council in setting goals and advocating policy decisions, and serves as a <br />promoter and defender of the community. In addition, the mayor or chairperson serves as <br />a key representative in intergovernmental relations. The mayor or chairperson, council, <br />and manager constitute a policy-development and management team. <br /> <br />Q: What is the manager's function? <br /> <br />A: The manager is hired to serve the council and the community and to bring to the <br />local government the benefits of training and experience in administering local <br />govenm~ent projects and programs on behalf of the governing body. The manager <br />prepares a budget for the council's consideration; recruits, hires, and supervises the <br />government's staff; serves as the council's chief adviser; and carries out the council's <br />policies. Council members and citizens count on the manager to provide complete and <br />obi ective information, the pros and cons ~>f alternatives, and long-term consequences. <br /> <br />Q: What is the cost to the local government of appointing a professional <br />manager? <br /> <br />A: Local governments have found that overali costs actually have been reduced with <br />competent management. Savings come in the form of reduced operating costs, increased <br />efficiency and productivity, improved revenue collection, or effective use of technology. <br /> <br />Q: Does the manager participate in policy determination? <br /> <br />A: The manager makes policy recommendations to the council, but the council may <br />or may not adopt them and may modify the recommendations. The manager is bound by <br />whatever action the council takes. <br /> <br />-34- <br /> <br /> <br />