The features of the City Manager type of Local Government
Posted by Chester Morton / Saturday, 28 May 2016 / No comments
THE CITY MANAGER TYPE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Definition
The City Manager type of local government is that type of
Local Government system where elections to the office are not based on the
political leaning of the contestants. In other words, it is a system where
party politicking is avoided at the local level. The system originates from the
United States of America.
Composition
The City Council of the City Manager type of local government
consists of between four to nine members who are elected by the people. Of this
number, one is appointed out of the lot as the City Manager. The City Manager
then appoints the heads of all the departments in the City Council. Some of the
departments included the Departments of Public Relations, Fire, Waste
Management, and Engineering.
FEATURES OF THE CITY MANAGER TYPE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Absence of partisan politics
Political party activities are absent in this type of system.
The members of the Council are elected directly by the people in the city based
on their own merit and not on the ticket of any political party. At once, the
entire rancor that is associated with party politics is eliminated.
Appointment of a Mayor
The system makes provision for the appointment of one of the
Council Members as the Mayor, who performs ceremonial functions mainly. The
person appointed as the Mayor is normally the one who had the highest votes in
the election. The mayor’s main functions were to chair council meetings and to
represent the city council, etc.
Appointment of City Manager
The system makes provision for the appointment of a
professional administrator as the City Manager. The City Manager is appointed
after he has been interviewed and found to be fit for the job. He is not a
member of the City Council and therefore does not have a vote but he attends
meetings and where necessary, offers his advice and or recommendations.
Governance of the city
The responsibility for governing the city is for the City
Council. The City Council draws programmes and policies for implementation. It
decides on how to raise money, like how much tax must be paid by the residents
of the city and how the money so realized should be utilized.
Exclusion of Political Authorities
The City Manager system of local government makes provision
for the exclusion of political parties. The City Manager is appointed without
the involvement of the government. The salaries and emoluments of the Council
members are not based on grants from the government. The council appoints and
pays its own personnel.
Urban-Oriented
The City Manager system of local government can mainly be
operated in a city setting and not in rural areas.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. a. Describe the City Manager type of Local Government
System.
b. Highlight five
advantages of the City Manager local government system.
