Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How does a council-manager government operate in U.S. cities?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
local government
A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official addressing the Watonga City Council to discuss aid for flood victims, Watonga, Oklahoma, 2007.
In a council-manager system, local government operations are divided between an elected legislative body and an appointed professional administrator.12
Structure and Roles
- City Council: Voters elect a city council to serve as the legislative and policy-making body. The council acts collectively to set city policy, enact ordinances, and appropriate funds. Individual members, including the mayor, generally lack administrative authority. In this system, the mayor typically serves as the head of the council rather than as a chief executive.1234
- City Manager: The council appoints a city manager to oversee daily municipal operations. The manager is responsible for preparing the budget, directing municipal departments, and appointing or dismissing personnel.13
Purpose and Impact
First adopted in the early 20th century, this model aims to centralize administrative responsibility and reduce political patronage. Proponents argue it promotes efficiency by separating policy-making from professional management. Critics, however, sometimes suggest that the system can place excessive power in one unelected official or lead to a bureaucratic focus that may be less responsive to specific community needs.13