Background on the Council-Manager (Administrator) Form of Government

The council-manager form of local government combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council or other governing body with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. Approximately 59% of US cities with populations of 25,000 or more, and 47% of US cities with populations of 5,000 or more have adopted the council-manager form.

The Role of the City Council
The Mayor and City Council members act as the political head of the city. They are responsible for setting policy, approving the budget, determining the tax rate, and formulating broad long-term policies that outline the City's public function. The city administrator is appointed by council to carry out policy and ensure that the entire community is being served. The administrator makes policy recommendations to the council, but the council may or may not adopt them and may modify the recommendations. The administrator is bound by whatever action the council takes.

 Responsibilities of the City Administrator's Office

The primary responsibility of a city administrator is to implement the policies of the elected City Council. In addition, in the council-manager government, the manager assumes responsibility for:

• Preparing the annual budget;
• Hiring and discharging personnel (with the exception of the Police Chief, who is hired/discharged by the Mayor with the confirmation of the City Council);
• Directing day-to-day operations of the City, including activities of all personnel;
• Attending Council meetings;
• Recommending policies or programs to the City Council;
• Keeping the council fully advised of the financial and other conditions of the city;
• Supplying the council with information to aid decision making.