Council-Manager
Structure
- Five to nine council members, including the mayor, elected at large; non-partisan election; sometimes council members select mayor from among themselves
- Council hires professional manager to be chief executive officer
- Mayor serves as president or chairman in presiding over the council and serves as ceremonial leader
Appointment Powers
- City manager appoints department heads who serve at the pleasure of the city manager
- Council appoints a city manager who serves at its pleasure
- Council may appoint a city clerk
Management Authority
- City manager as chief executive / administrative officer is responsible for the supervision of all departments and functional operations
- City manager has administrative accountability
- Council has oversight function and general responsibility for municipal affairs through budgeting and setting policy
Budget Authority & Process
- Modified executive budget
- Preliminary budget preparation - Departments prepare and submit to the city manager
- Final budget preparation - City manager prepares final proposed budget and submits it to council
- Budget approval and adoption - Council
- Budget implementation - City manager
Ordinance Powers
- City manager is responsible for the enforcement of ordinances and the administration of policies set by the council
- Council is the legislative body that establishes broad policy and local laws as ordinances and resolutions