Chapter 13.1 City Government

Created by the State Local gov’ts are created by and then dependent upon, the state. The state may take control and even do away with them.Local gov’ts are created by and then dependent upon, the state. The state may take control and even do away with them. Most states define a municipality as an incorporated place – a locality with an officially organized gov’t that provides services to the residents. A city is a municipal gov’t.Most states define a municipality as an incorporated place – a locality with an officially organized gov’t that provides services to the residents. A city is a municipal gov’t.

continued Urban communities can create a city by incorporating. To do this, they apply to the state legislature for a city charter that grants power to a local gov’t.Urban communities can create a city by incorporating. To do this, they apply to the state legislature for a city charter that grants power to a local gov’t. To obtain a charter, the community must include a population of certain minimum size and submit petitions signed by the residents supporting a charter.To obtain a charter, the community must include a population of certain minimum size and submit petitions signed by the residents supporting a charter. The charter describes the type of gov’t, its structure and its powers.The charter describes the type of gov’t, its structure and its powers.

continued Recently state legislatures have begun to grant home rule, allowing cities to write their own charters, choose their own type of gov’t and manage their own affairs, within state laws.Recently state legislatures have begun to grant home rule, allowing cities to write their own charters, choose their own type of gov’t and manage their own affairs, within state laws. An urban community may be called a city, town or village, depending on local preferences or charter specifications. Regardless of size, most city gov’ts provide the same basic services.An urban community may be called a city, town or village, depending on local preferences or charter specifications. Regardless of size, most city gov’ts provide the same basic services.

The Mayor-Council Form In a mayor-council form of gov’t, power is divided between legislative and executive branches. Voters elect a mayor and the members of the city council.In a mayor-council form of gov’t, power is divided between legislative and executive branches. Voters elect a mayor and the members of the city council. The mayor is the chief executive and often appoints the heads of departments.The mayor is the chief executive and often appoints the heads of departments. The council acts as the city’s legislature. It approves the budget and passes city laws called ordinances. Councils usually consist of fewer than 10 members who serve four-year terms.The council acts as the city’s legislature. It approves the budget and passes city laws called ordinances. Councils usually consist of fewer than 10 members who serve four-year terms.

continued Some cities are divided into voting districts called wards. Each ward elects a council member. Other councils consist of members- at-large elected by the entire city.Some cities are divided into voting districts called wards. Each ward elects a council member. Other councils consist of members- at-large elected by the entire city. Large cities usually have a strong-mayor system, in which the mayor has strong powers such as the power to veto ordinances, appoint and remove officials and prepare the budget.Large cities usually have a strong-mayor system, in which the mayor has strong powers such as the power to veto ordinances, appoint and remove officials and prepare the budget.

continued Even in large cities, council membership is usually a part-time job. A strong mayor usually work full time.Even in large cities, council membership is usually a part-time job. A strong mayor usually work full time. Smaller towns and a few big cities have a weak- mayor system in which the mayor’s power is limited. The council appoints department heads and makes most decisions. The mayor presides over council meetings but votes only in case of a tie.Smaller towns and a few big cities have a weak- mayor system in which the mayor’s power is limited. The council appoints department heads and makes most decisions. The mayor presides over council meetings but votes only in case of a tie.

The Council-Manager Form The council-manager form is common in medium-sized cities and suburbs. The chief executive is a professionally trained city manager who is not connected to any political party or interest group.The council-manager form is common in medium-sized cities and suburbs. The chief executive is a professionally trained city manager who is not connected to any political party or interest group. The council appoints and can remove the manager. The manager reports to the council.The council appoints and can remove the manager. The manager reports to the council. Council members are usually elected in citywide at-large elections.Council members are usually elected in citywide at-large elections.

continued City managers are not elected and are therefore free from political pressures that could interfere with getting the job done. They often have more expert knowledge than the part-timers in council and thus may play a major role in policymaking.City managers are not elected and are therefore free from political pressures that could interfere with getting the job done. They often have more expert knowledge than the part-timers in council and thus may play a major role in policymaking. Critics point out that because citizens do not elect the manager, the manager may not provide the strong unifying leadership needed in a large, diverse city.Critics point out that because citizens do not elect the manager, the manager may not provide the strong unifying leadership needed in a large, diverse city.

The Commission Form A few cities use a commission form of gov’t. They elect usually five commissioners in citywide elections. Each commission heads a department.A few cities use a commission form of gov’t. They elect usually five commissioners in citywide elections. Each commission heads a department. Commissioners perform executive duties for their departments and meet as a commission to pass ordinances and make policy decisions. There is no separation of powers-commissioners are both legislators and executives.Commissioners perform executive duties for their departments and meet as a commission to pass ordinances and make policy decisions. There is no separation of powers-commissioners are both legislators and executives.

continued The commissioners pick one member to act as mayor, whose role is largely ceremonial.The commissioners pick one member to act as mayor, whose role is largely ceremonial. The commission system has drawbacks. No one person is in charge, making responsibility hard to pinpoint. New commissioners may know little about their departments. When commissioners disagree, it may be difficult to make decisions.The commission system has drawbacks. No one person is in charge, making responsibility hard to pinpoint. New commissioners may know little about their departments. When commissioners disagree, it may be difficult to make decisions.

Special Districts A special district is a unit of gov’t that deals with a specific function, such as education, water supply or transportation. Special districts may overlap cities.A special district is a unit of gov’t that deals with a specific function, such as education, water supply or transportation. Special districts may overlap cities. A board or commission runs the special district. It has the power to collect taxes or charge user fees for the service.A board or commission runs the special district. It has the power to collect taxes or charge user fees for the service.

Metropolitan Areas A metropolitan area is a central city and its surrounding suburbs. If it includes 50,000 or more people, it is a Metropolitan Statistical Area. One that includes more than one central city is a Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area.A metropolitan area is a central city and its surrounding suburbs. If it includes 50,000 or more people, it is a Metropolitan Statistical Area. One that includes more than one central city is a Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area. Growth of population and expansion of industry in metropolitan areas have created many problems in transportation, pollution control and law enforcement. Uncontrolled urban sprawl has created problems in land-use management.Growth of population and expansion of industry in metropolitan areas have created many problems in transportation, pollution control and law enforcement. Uncontrolled urban sprawl has created problems in land-use management.