Council-Manager Government
A form of city government where an elected city council sets policy and a hired professional city manager runs day-to-day operations.
How It Works
In council-manager government, the mayor is typically a member of the council (often selected by fellow council members) with limited executive power. The city manager is a professional administrator hired by the council, similar to a corporate CEO. This form emphasizes professional management and is used by approximately 55% of U.S. cities over 25,000 population. The manager can be fired by the council, providing accountability without the volatility of elected executive leadership.
Related Terms
- Mayor-Council Government — A form of city government where an independently elected mayor serves as chief executive (like a governor or president) and an elected council serves as the legislative body.
- City Manager — A professional administrator hired by the city council to manage day-to-day city operations, prepare the budget, and oversee department heads.
- City Charter — A city's foundational governing document — similar to a constitution — that establishes the form of government, powers, organizational structure, and key procedures.
About This Definition
This definition is part of the CitySpend Municipal Finance Glossary — 59 terms explaining how city governments fund and manage public services. All definitions are written in plain language for taxpayers, journalists, students, and municipal bond investors.