Council-Manager Government
Who runs the city in a council-manager government?
Short answer: Residents elect the City Council, and the City Council hires a professional City Manager to run the city’s day-to-day operations.
This is the most common form of local government in the United States and is used by many Texas cities, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, El Paso, and San Antonio.
at a glance
| Role | What They Do |
|---|---|
| Residents | Elect the Mayor and City Council |
| City Council | Sets city policies, passes laws, and approves the budget |
| Mayor | Leads council meetings, represents the city, and helps set priorities |
| City Manager | Runs the city’s daily operations and oversees city staff |
Step 1: Residents Elect the City council
The people who live in the city vote for their mayor and city council members.
These elected officials represent the community and make important policy decisions.
Responsibilities
- Passing local laws (ordinances)
- Approving the city budget
- Setting city priorities
- Representing residents
- Holding public meetings
Step 2: The City Council Hires a City Manager
Instead of running the city themselves, the City Council hires a professional City Manager.
Think of the City Council like a board of directors and the City Manager like a CEO.
The City Manager is hired because of their experience managing city governments not because they were elected.
Step 3: The City Manager Runs the city
The City Manager oversees the day-to-day work of city government.
Their job includes:
- Managing city employees
- Overseeing city departments
- Preparing the proposed budget
- Carrying out City Council decisions
- Making sure city services operate efficiently
The City Manager works for the City Council and can be replaced if the council believes they are not meeting expectations.
what does the mayor do?
In most council-manager cities, the mayor is still an important leader, but they usually do not manage city employees or departments.
The mayor often:
- Presides over City Council meetings
- Represents the city at events
- Helps set policy priorities
- Works with council members
- Serves as a public spokesperson
The mayor’s exact powers depend on the city’s charter.
why do cities use this system?
Supporters say it helps separate politics from daily management.
The idea is:
- Residents choose elected leaders to decide what the city should do.
- A professional manager decides how to carry out those decisions efficiently.
This allows city services to continue even when elected officials change.
example: Dallas, texas
Dallas uses a Council-Manager form of government.
Here’s how it works:
- Residents elect the Mayor and 14 City Council members.
- The City Council passes ordinances and approves the budget.
- The City Council hires a City Manager.
- The City Manager oversees city departments like Public Works, Parks, Libraries, and Planning.
Pros and Cons
Benefits
- Professional management of city services
- Clear separation between policy and daily operations
- City services continue even after elections
- Experienced administrators manage departments
Challenges
- The City Manager is not directly elected by residents.
- Some people may find it confusing to know who is responsible for certain decisions.
- The balance of power between the mayor, council, and manager can vary by city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the boss of the City Manager?
The City Council hires, evaluates, and can remove the City Manager.
Can residents vote for the City Manager?
No. Residents vote for the Mayor and City Council. The City Council selects the City Manager.
Does the Mayor tell the City Manager what to do?
Usually no. In most council-manager cities, the City Manager works for the entire City Council, not just the mayor.
Is this the most common form of local government?
Yes. The council-manager form is the most common form of municipal government in the United States, especially among medium and large cities.
key takeaways
- Residents elect the Mayor and City Council.
- The City Council sets policy and approves the budget.
- The City Council hires a City Manager to run the city’s daily operations.
- The City Manager oversees city departments and implements council decisions.
- Many Texas cities, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso, use the council-manager form of government.
Learn next
- What does a City Manager do?
- What does City Council do?
- What is a Mayor?
- How does the city budget work?
- What is a municipal charter?