Council vs. Manager

Attribute	Council	Manager
Decision-making authority	Collective decision-making by elected officials	Individual decision-making by appointed professional
Accountability	Accountable to the public through elections	Accountable to the council or board of directors
Role	Policy-making and oversight	Implementation and administration
Term length	Varies by jurisdiction, typically 2-4 years	Varies by jurisdiction, typically indefinite
Hiring process	Hired by voters through elections	Hired by council or board of directors

Council

In a council-manager form of government, the council serves as the legislative body responsible for making policy decisions and setting the direction for the city or town. Council members are elected by the residents of the community and represent the interests of the public. They are typically part-time officials who may have other jobs outside of their council duties. Council members are accountable to the voters and must consider the needs and concerns of the community when making decisions.

• Council members are elected officials.
• They make policy decisions and set the direction for the city.
• They represent the interests of the public.
• They are part-time officials with other jobs.
• They are accountable to the voters.

Manager

The city or town manager is the chief executive officer of the local government and is responsible for implementing the policies set by the council. The manager is typically appointed by the council and serves as the administrative head of the city or town. The manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the government, manages the budget, and supervises city staff. The manager is a professional administrator with experience in public administration and management.

• The manager is the chief executive officer.
• They implement policies set by the council.
• They are appointed by the council.
• They oversee day-to-day operations and manage the budget.
• They are professional administrators with experience.

Responsibilities

While council members focus on making policy decisions and representing the community, the city or town manager is responsible for carrying out those decisions and managing the day-to-day operations of the government. Council members set the vision and goals for the city, while the manager works to achieve those goals and ensure that city services are delivered efficiently and effectively.

Decision-Making

Council members make decisions collectively through the legislative process, with each member having an equal vote on issues. The council as a whole sets the policy direction for the city, and individual council members must work together to reach consensus on important issues. The city manager, on the other hand, is responsible for implementing the decisions made by the council and managing the city's operations in accordance with those decisions.

Accountability

Council members are directly accountable to the voters who elect them, as they must seek re-election periodically to continue serving on the council. If residents are dissatisfied with the decisions made by the council, they have the opportunity to vote for new council members who better represent their interests. The city manager, on the other hand, is accountable to the council, which has the authority to hire and fire the manager based on their performance.

Expertise

Council members are typically part-time officials who may not have expertise in public administration or management. They rely on the city manager to provide guidance and expertise on administrative matters and to ensure that city operations run smoothly. The city manager, on the other hand, is a professional administrator with experience in managing local government operations and working with elected officials to achieve the city's goals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the council and city manager play distinct roles in the council-manager form of government. Council members are elected officials who make policy decisions and represent the community, while the city manager is a professional administrator responsible for implementing those decisions and managing the day-to-day operations of the government. Both the council and manager are essential components of the local government structure, working together to ensure that the needs of the community are met and that the city or town operates effectively and efficiently.