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.
How It Works
In "strong mayor" systems, the mayor has veto power, prepares the budget, and appoints department heads. In "weak mayor" systems, these powers are shared with or controlled by the council. Most of America's largest cities (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston) use the mayor-council form. This structure provides clear political leadership and accountability but can create gridlock when the mayor and council disagree.
Related Terms
- 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.
- 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.