Under the council–manager form of government for municipalities, the elected governing body (commonly called a city council, city commission, or board of selectmen) is responsible for the legislative function of the municipality such as establishing policy, passing local ordinances, voting appropriations, and developing an overall vision.[2] County and other types of local government follow the same pattern, with a different title for the governing body members that matches the title of the body.
The legislative body, which is voted into office by public elections, appoints a professional manager to oversee the administrative operations, implement its policies, and advise it. The position of "mayor" present in this type of legislative body is a largely ceremonial title, and may be selected by the council from among its members or elected as an at-large council member with no executive functions.[3]
The city manager position in this form of municipal government is similar to that of corporate chief executive officer (CEO), providing professional management to the board of directors. Council–manager government is much like a publicly-traded corporation.[4] In a corporation, the board of directors appoints a CEO, makes major decisions and wields representative power on behalf of shareholders. In council–manager government, the elected council appoints a city manager, makes major decisions, and wields representative power on behalf of the citizens.
This system of government is used in 40.1% of American cities with populations of 2,500 or more, according to the 2011 Municipal Yearbook published by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA),[5] a professional organization for city managers and other top appointed local government administrators/CAOs.
15 comments:
Lois, Thank you for posting such a interesting and educational subject. I would also like to thank Mayor Harl, Alderman Perez and Mike Hart and all others for their civic conscientiousness in exploring different concepts of city administration structures. I agree with some of the ideas and disagree with others but find all thought provoking and a good step to Peru's future, in that preparation is being made.
Mike's thought of a reduction to 4 alderman is to me somewhat radical but an idea worthwhile for discussion. It must be remembered that a common thinker changes very little in this world politically but most changes, if not all, have come from what was once considered a radical idea. Mayor Harl and Alderman Perez expressed going in the direction of a equal distribution of 4 ward alderman and 4 at large alderman. The number of each, ward and at large, in itself is a good question and if Peru should enlarge or decrease this number i.e. 1 alderman per ward and 2 at large for a total of 6, or the thought of 4 and 4,or 2 per ward and 2 or 4 at large for the city. As you can see there is almost an endless workable combination.
Peru could also stay in the same governmental chart of 2 per ward which it has been at for a number of years, previously it was 5 wards with 2 alderman per ward. Not knowing state stature, I would like to know if it would be legal to vote for the ward alderman for a 4 yr term and the at large for a 2 yr term. Peru is fortunate to have Attorney Schweickert as its City Attorney. He has government experience of over 30 yrs and I believe he should be consulted continuously on all legalities involving the city. I see advantages to having a shorter term for at large representatives with a 4 yr term for ward represenatives.
In conclusion I firmly believe that no changes should be made without a voice of the people in the next election!
I know this is not the place for this comment, but here i go. when is Borostowski coming back? There is grass all over the roads, house falling in ill repair, buildings in bad need of paint. this town could improve greatly with a little help, from Boro. These people were warned last year. This year they should be fined immediately. Then it would never happen again. The city could use the money for whatever. Please get Boro back, we need him.
Seems there was just an ad in the New Trib looking for a code enforcement officer. Does this mean he isn't coming back???
Save Boro campaign.....Please put up the signs and storm city hall to bring back Peru Super Hero Boro. And what about Little Frankie. Its kind of like a Batman/Robin or Starsky/Hutch duo. Keep the city clean and get the hillbillys to clean up their own barn. Can they wear firearms this year or at least carry stun guns.
Say it isn't so. Bring Back Boro, Bring Back Boro.
Progressive communities have elected officials who promote citizen involvement by creating advisory boards and committees that tap into the broad range of knowledge and expertise of the local residents. Examples are Plan Commission, Design and Review Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Infrastructure Committee. Some of these groups are accepted by our elected officials and some are not. Currently, at least a few aldermen are trying in vain to "kill" the Infrastructure Committee before it has a chance to bring too many issues to the forefront.
Why would aldermen (as well as city engineering consultants and TEST, Inc) be threatened by an advisory committee whose only mission is to provide free, cost effective recommendations on issues relating to infrastructure?
Who said TEST is threatened? Chamlin maybe, but what has TEST done?
Steve: As an advisory committee who do you give advise to - the mayor? Isn't he on your advisory committee? That doesn't seem logical to me.
TEST or Chamlin threatened, I think you are overestimating the committee qualifications to make that statement. Opinions and qualified recommendations are not the same. Everybody has a opinion, they are alike like a------. Everybody has one. Solid recommendations is what Peru needs. Lets try not to compare anybody's volunteer expertise as a replacement for TEST. The value is the committees is that they appear to be residents that have a common interest in helping our city. Like the Park, Library, Police, Appeals. The mistake some of those committee members make is that they feel they can replace the entity they target(engineering,professional water treatment). Maybe some members of the infrastructure committee have lost interest? Maybe some feel they are being utilized for a predrawn conclusion. Maybe some are feeling used for those specific interest who are determined to eliminate those above targets.
Anon 12:25 it looks like the Mayor has stopped taking his advice? That seems logical!
Steve, always whining about this committee? If the Mayor won't listen to you than who will?
I think the infrastructure committee is another extension of big government! Are they the 1%?
Never under-estimate the lengths that those who have been feeding off the city for decades will go to maintain that cash flow. When those dollars are threatened by the mere suggestion of competition and cost effective ideas they get very nervous. And when they get nervous they look to those friendly aldermen who ensure those invoices keep flowing un-challenged.
The last thing they want is somebody (anybody) pointing out the inefficiencies, waste and unaccountability involved.
People like 2:16, 2:22 and 2:33 are quick to defend those who benefit financially from a system of set-aside contracts, lack of competition, and protectionism.
One way or another, they are connected and of course they will always comment anonymously.
Steve, what is the Mayor doing about all these so called inefficiencies? Maybe he is doing nothing with a reason. The reason may be that your so called waste and unaccountable management is another chapter of "STEVE'S Fictional Guide to WATER TREATMENT and Engineering". The novel that he won't read. I think the last chapter is about gaining employment within a City by knocking the other guy. I guess thats easier than getting a job on merits and credentials?
9:50 a.m. - Breath deep. The answer to your question is, you have to have a consensus to get things done. Those who oppose reform enable certain policies to continue. Just as simple as that.
I have no interest in gaining employment with the city and I'll gladly match my merits and credentials with you or anybody else on what is wrong with the way aldermen protect the interests of certain companies and contractors. If you disagree, tell us why I've got it all wrong. Better yet, tell us who you are and why you would defend the status quo.
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