Posted by / Wednesday 19 October 2016 / No comments

The advantages of the City Manager type of Local Government



ADVANTAGES OF 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 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.

Democratic
One of the advantages of the City Manager type of local government is that, it is democratic. All the members of the City Council are elected directly by the people. In other words, the people relinquish their mandate to the Council to manage their affairs on their behalf.

Eliminates political interference
To a very great extent, the City Manager type of Local Government eliminates unnecessary interference in the city’s affairs from politicians. The entire rancor and patronage associated with party politics is avoided.

It is efficient
The City Manager type of local government is efficient. The City Council appoints a professional administrator and runs the city as efficiently as is possible. The heckling that is associated with partisanship is completely absent so he has free hands to operate and operate efficiently.

Easy to locate responsibility
Another advantage is that you can easily identify who is responsible for the success or failure of the city’s fortunes. Whatever the situation is, it is the City Manager answerable for the administration of the city.

Checks favouritism
The City Manager, being a professional and being ultimately responsible for the success or otherwise of the city, ensures that he recruits only highly qualified people to head the various departments. There is therefore little room for favouritism and nepotism. Recruiting an unqualified person because he is a brother only goes to affect the output of his delivery.

Separation of powers
The system allows for the principle of Separation of Powers to operate in the administration of the city. The City Council serves as the law-making body while the City Manager and his Heads of Department act as the executive, implementing the laws. The judiciary is also separate.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. a. Describe the City Manager type of Local Government System.
    b. Highlight five advantages of the City Manager local government system.

2. Highlight six advantages of the City Manager type of Local Government.

3. Describe the composition of the City Council of the City Manager type of Local Government. 

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