Responsibilities

As the top appointed official in the city, the city manager is typically responsible for most if not all of the day-to-day administrative operations of the municipality, in addition to other expectations.

Some of the basic roles, responsibilities, and powers of a city manager include:

- supervision of day-to-day operations of all city departments and staff, directly and through department heads;

- oversight of all hiring, firing, disciplining and suspensions;

- preparation, monitoring, and execution of the city budget, which includes submitting each year to the council a proposed budget package with options and recommendations for its consideration and possible approval;

- main technical advisor to the council on overall governmental operations;

- public relations, such as meeting with citizens, citizen groups, businesses, and other stakeholders (the presence of a mayor may alter this function somewhat);

- operating the city with a professional understanding of how all cit functions operate together to their best effect;

- attends all council meetings, but does not have any voting rights;

- additional duties that may be assigned by the council.

The responsibilities may vary depending upon charter provisions and other local or state laws, rules, and regulations. In addition, many states, such as the states of New Hampshire and Missouri, have codified in law the minimum functions a local “manager” must perform.

Manager members of the ICMA (International City/ County Management Association) are bound by a rather rigid and strongly enforced code of ethics that was originally established in 1924. Since that time the code had been up-dated/ revised on seven occasions, the latest taking place in 1998. The updates have taken into account the evolving duties, responsibilities, and expectations of the profession; however, the core dictate of the body of the code have not changed since the first edition.

The core of the code:

- “integrity;

- public service;

- seek no favor;

- exemplary conduct in both personal and professional matters;

- respect the role and contributions of elected officials;

- exercise the independence to do what is right;

- political neutrality;

- serve the public equitably and body members equally;

- keep the community informed about local government matters;

- support and lead our employees.”

ICMA –

International City/ County Management Association,

is the professional and educational organization

for chief appointed managers, administrators,

and assistants in cities, towns, counties,

and regional entities throughout the world.

Since 1914, ICMA has provided technical and

management assistance, training, and information resources

to its members and the local government communities –

from small towns with populations of a few hundred

to metropolitan areas serving several million.