Navigating the Ups and Downs of the Council-Manager Relationship By L. Dennis Michael Most California cities use the council-manager form of government. In this model, the city council sets policy, passes ordinances, approves new projects and programs and ratifies the annual budget. The city manager implements the policies, advises the council, makes recommendations on council decisions, formulates the budget and oversees the administration and management of staff and resources. Having the city manager oversee the agency’s day-today operations allows the council members to focus on big-picture policy issues without the distraction of administrative tasks, such as managing personnel. It also enables the council to hold one individual accountable for the city’s administration. First and foremost, the relationship between the city council and the city manager is a partnership that serves the community. This partnership benefits immensely from a
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council that sees itself as a team. While council members can and do disagree on various issues, they can nevertheless function as a team if all members can agree that their shared goal is to make the best decisions possible for the community they serve. It can be helpful to frame this as a collaborative effort in which all members bring something of value to the task at hand. Building a Positive, Constructive Relationship Civility and communication are key elements of an effective council-manager partnership. Respectful discussions that incorporate civility set a positive tone for council meetings and council-manager interactions and help foster a welcoming environment for community members who attend council meetings. Communicating clearly is essential to a positive, productive relationship between the council and the city manager. When dealing with a controversial or emotionally charged issue, it’s critically important to listen carefully and, in many cases, repeat or paraphrase what
SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES
