However, code cities, charter cities, and charter counties have "home rule" powers that permit them to exercise authority not specifically granted, provided that the state has not specifically prohibited that local authority. Our political system is a representative democracy. We elect legislators to make policy decisions and enact laws on our behalf. Except through the exercise of the initiative and referendum , we do not practice direct democracy.
The essence of the legislative process is the give and take of different interests and the search for a compromise that is acceptable to the majority. Often there are elaborate mechanisms to involve citizens and interest groups in the policymaking process. But in the end, legislative bodies make the decisions and voters must abide by these decisions. While mayors and city managers often develop and propose policies, their basic responsibility is to carry out the council's directives and to implement the policies adopted by the council.
Commissioners serve both legislative and executive roles. The relationship of the executive to the legislative body varies by form of local government: mayor-council, council-mayor, or commission. While much of this information is relevant to both cities and counties, there are some factors that make the policymaking process of counties different from cities. Elected county offices are partisan in a majority of the counties; candidates must declare party affiliation when they run for office.
In comparison, all elected city offices are nonpartisan. County commissioners share power with other elected county officials such as the assessor, auditor, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, county clerk, and treasurer. There are only a handful of Washington cities that elect anyone other than mayors or council members. The separation of authority between the legislative body and the chief executive in the mayor-council, county executive, and council-manager forms of government is very similar.
In the mayor-council form of government, the mayor is the chief administrative officer who is responsible for all administrative functions. When separately elected, the county executive serves as chief administrative officer in those counties that have a council such as King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties.
In the council-manager form, the appointed manager is the chief administrative officer. The council creates county departments, authorizes positions, and fixes compensation. The council may not direct the hiring of any employee by the chief administrative officer, although local ordinances may call for council confirmation of appointments in the mayor-council form of government.
The mayor has the power to appoint and remove all appointive officers and employees, consistent with the laws of the city. This authority to hire and fire may be delegated to department heads. In the council-manager form, the manager supervises city business, appoints and removes department heads and employees, executes laws, recommends activities to the council, submits reports, submits a proposed budget, and performs other duties directed by ordinance.
Mayors, county executives, city managers, and staff do not make policy decisions. However, they have strong influence on the policymaking process and its resultant decisions. For example, they propose budgets, oversee staff-led studies and analyses related to proposed policies, and make policy recommendations to councils. Through their ongoing contacts with key interest groups, elected and appointed chief administrative officers and department heads influence and are influenced by other participants in the policy development process.
Policy development processes are most effective and productive when key players work well together. Each party has a role to play, along with clearly defined responsibilities. Conflicts often develop when the legitimate needs and roles of one party are not understood by another. Here are some suggestions that might make the policy development process more effective.
Woodland mayor supports proposition to hire a city administrator. They are frequently in the spotlight, often attending ceremonial events like ribbon cuttings, fundraisers, and photo opportunities with the press. Salaries for a mayor vary depending on factors such as population, city size, education, form of government, location, and budget considerations.
According to the U. Bureau of Labor Statistics, mayors and city managers fall into the same general job category: top executives. The following steps may help set the stage for a career as a city manager or mayor, but there are many paths to a profession in public service:. For those interested in acquiring skills and knowledge to become a mayor or city manager or pursuing other careers in local, state, or federal government, the MPA is a professional degree worth considering.
The degree can also lead to jobs in the nonprofit and private sectors. A main benefit of an MPA is that the coursework provides students with tools to develop skills in public service work.
The MPA is an interdisciplinary postgraduate degree that draws from several fields outside of the realm of a strictly business administration perspective. Some might consider substituting on-the-job experience for a degree. Local leadership is invaluable. Facebook LinkedIn Twitter. Please help us get to know you by filling out the following form.
After completion, you will gain access to our career guide and an admissions counselor will reach out to help answer additional questions. City Manager vs.
Mayor: Who Runs this Town Anyway? May 10, Prepare for a Career in Public Service. Request Information. Three Types of City Government Structures. City commission government. However, the executive mayor may endeavour to follow hands on approach, bringing the two components into conflict with one another.
The paper clarifies the relationship required to ensure efficient and effective municipal government and administration, focussed on service delivery and obviating the danger of conflict hampering the achievement of goals. Size: Format: PDF. Login Register. View Usage Statistics.
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