From time to time, people will ask what is the City Manager's job. So, I put something together to answer that question. Professional local government managers are hired & directed by the elected city council to oversee the daily operations of the city. These appointed managers are nonpartisan & nonpolitical. They oversee the day-to-day business of local governments in an ethical, efficient, & transparent manner.
Much like executives who direct private-sector corporations, professional local government managers provide leadership, vision, & a focus on results that is needed to create better communities by managing financial & human resources, planning strategically for community development, & using performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.
While their responsibilities may vary from community to community, professional city managers are typically responsible for working with elected officials (mayors & city councils) to develop sound approaches to community challenges by bringing together resources that produce results that matter. Helping the governing body develop a long-term vision for the community that provides a framework for policy development & goal-setting.
- Preparing a comprehensive annual budget & capital improvement program & managing local government staff, budgets, programs, & projects.
- Overseeing the delivery of local government services, which includes public works; police, fire, & public safety; planning & economic development; youth services; recycling & sanitation; & utilities. Parks/Recreation is excluded from the City Manager's responsibilities & is governed by the PR Board.
- Applying for & administering federal, state, & private foundation grant funding.
- Recruiting, hiring, & supervising the local government workforce, including key department heads.
- Preparing council or board meeting agenda materials.
- Bringing a community-wide perspective that considers past & future challenges to policy discussions.
- Encouraging inclusion & building consensus among diverse interests (including those of the elected officials, the business community, & citizens) by focusing on the needs of the entire community rather than the interests of only a few individuals.
- Promoting equity & fairness by ensuring that services are fairly distributed & that administrative decisions (such as hiring & contracting) are based on merit rather than favoritism.
- Developing & sustaining organizational excellence & promoting innovation.
- Ensuring that laws & policies are enforced fairly throughout the community & that the government runs ethically & transparently.
Professional city managers establish a commitment to excellence within the local government organization that sets the tone for all employees. These individuals expect staff at all levels, from department directors to line employees, to meet high standards in service delivery, accountability, & ethics. Together, they look for more effective & efficient ways to serve the members of their community. The responsibilities are broad & could not be done well without strong department heads to work effectively between the manager and department staff.
