Chapter 8 & 9
Part 2

I . City Government a. Home Rule Organization

I . City Government a. Home Rule Organization
• City charter and authority usually from the state

I . City Government a. Home Rule Organization
• City charter and authority usually from the state
• Home Rule: a city can write and amend its own municipal charter

I . City Government a. Home Rule Organization
• City charter and authority usually from the state
• Home Rule: a city can write and amend its own municipal charter
• written by a commission, approved by voters

b. Forms of City Government
• Mayor-Council government

b. Forms of City Government
• Mayor-Council government
– city council - legislative body
– mayor - city’s chief executive

b. Forms of City Government
• Mayor-Council government
– city council - legislative body
– mayor - city’s chief executive
– Weak-mayor plan; city council holds more power than the mayor

b. Forms of City Government
• Mayor-Council government
– city council - legislative body
– mayor - city’s chief executive
– Weak-mayor plan; city council holds more power than the mayor
– Strong-mayor plan; mayor has the primary responsibility for running the city’s government and appointments

• Commission government
– governed by a commission that usually consists of 3 to 9 elected officials

• Commission government
– governed by a commission that usually consists of 3 to 9 elected officials
– acts as the city’s legislative body, passing laws, making decisions like a mayor

• Council - manager government
– like a commission, but with a city manager added

• Council - manager government
– like a commission, but with a city manager added
– voters elect the commission, then commission appoints the city’s chief executive

• Council - manager government
– like a commission, but with a city manager added
– voters elect the commission, then commission appoints the city’s chief executive
– advantage; appointed manager is free from political pressure, only the council can fire the manager