What is the council-manager form of government, which is used today by so many cities, towns, and counties?

Council-manager government combines the strong political leadership of elected officials with the strong managerial experience of an appointed manager or administrator. All power and authority to set policy rests with an elected governing body, which includes a mayor or chairperson and members of the council, commission, or board. The governing body in turn hires a nonpartisan manager who has very broad authority to run the organization.

Born out of the U.S. progressive reform movement at the turn of the 20th century, the council-manager system was designed to combat corruption and unethical activity in local government by promoting effective management within a transparent, responsive, and accountable structure.

Since its establishment, the council-manager form has become the most popular structure of local government in the United States. The form is also widely used throughout the world in countries such as Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Show All Answers

1. What form of government does the City of Piqua use?
2. What is the council-manager form of government, which is used today by so many cities, towns, and counties?
3. How does council-manager government work?
4. How can council-manager government benefit my community?
5. What is the role of the manager under council-manager government?
6. What is the role of the commission?
7. What is the role of the mayor or chairperson?