SS8CG5: Analyze the role of local governments in the state of Georgia.
Municipality (city or town) There is no legal difference between a city, town or village. A municipality is established by a charter and approved or incorporated by the General Assembly. There are several types of governments a municipality may have: 1. Weak Mayor 2. Strong Mayor 3. Council Manager 4. Commission Form
Weak Mayor-Council City Mayor City Council
What role do voters play? Voters elect mayor (mostly as a figurehead) Voters elect council members
Who has legislative power? Council makes the laws Mayor presides over council meetings, but has little veto power
Who has executive power? Council organizes city departments appoints heads of departments Mayor Appoints a few city officials.
Who is the most powerful? City council makes most decisions!
Strong Mayor-Council Pieces City Mayor City Council
What role do voters play? Voters elect mayor Voters elect council members
Council makes the laws Has legislative power? Mayor presides over council meetings Mayor proposes legislation
Who has executive power? Mayor appoints all city department heads.
Who is the most powerful? Mayor!
Council-Manager Form Pieces: City Council City Manager City Mayor
What role do voters play? Voters elect the city council members Council then elects or appoints a mayor.
Who has the legislative power? City Council makes all the laws. Mayor is a council member.
Who has executive power? City Manager appoints all department heads. City Manager supervises all municipal activities.
Who is the most powerful? City Manager (in a close race with the council)
Commission Form Players City Mayor City Commission
Voters elect commission Role voters play: Voters elect commission Commissioners appoint one of their own as mayor.
Who has legislative power? Commission makes city laws.
Who has executive power? Each commission member is the head of a city department
Most powerful? Commission!
After exploring Marietta City’s website, what kind of government does it have?