Types of -Manager- Charters: Weak/Ceremonial Mayor, Strong Manager Features:  Mayor is member of council, generally chairs it  Mayor has no veto authority  Mayor deemed head official for ceremonial purposes, serving civil process, and military reasons  Mayor sometimes serves on School Committee  Mayor has no role in budget process, except in role as member of Council  Mayor has no administrative duties  Council appoints Manager  Manager reports to Council  Manager has all appointment authority  Manger controls budget process  Manager has full administrative control over the with weak/ceremonial :  Cambridge, MA  Worcester, MA  Watertown, MA  Austin, TX  Kirkwood, MO  State College, PA Sample Language:  The councilmember elected to and occupying the place designated "mayor" shall be the mayor of the City of Austin.  The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the council and shall be recognized as head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes, for the purpose of receiving service of civil process, and for military purposes, but he or she shall have no regular administrative duties. The mayor, as a member of the council, shall be entitled to vote upon all matters considered by the council, but shall have no veto power.  The council shall appoint a who shall be the chief administrative and executive officer of the city.  The city manager shall have and possess, and may exercise, all the power, rights and duties, other than legislative, commonly associated with municipal chief executive or administrative officers.

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Mid-range Mayor, Strong Manager Features:  Mayor is member of council, generally chairs it  Mayor reports out yearly with a “state of the city” address  Mayor has no veto authority  Mayor deemed head official for ceremonial purposes, serving civil process, and military reasons  Mayor sometimes serves on School Committee  Mayor has some appointment authority for boards/committees, but not department heads  Mayor has limited role in budget process, slightly more power than Council role (sometimes)  Mayor has no administrative duties  Mayor nominates Manager; Council appoints Manager (sometimes)  Council & Mayor have joint authority on removing Manager (sometimes)  Manager has all department head appointment authority  Manager controls budget process  Manager has full administrative control over the Town  Manager reports to Council and Mayor jointly Municipalities:  Amherst, MA 2003 Proposed Charter  San Jose, CA  Altoona, PA  Kansas City, MO  Lewiston, ME Sample Language: Amherst, MA 2003 Charter Proposal  The chief executive officer of the town shall be a mayor, elected by and from the voters of the town at large.  The executive powers of the town shall be vested in the mayor. The mayor shall cause the charter, the laws, the ordinances and other orders for the government of the town to be enforced, and shall cause a record of all official acts of the executive branch of the town government to be kept. The mayor shall exercise a general supervision over the policy direction of all town agencies, unless otherwise provided by law, by the charter or by ordinance, but the mayor shall have no direct administrative duties or responsibilities. It is expressly recognized that the direction of the administration of all town agencies is the sole responsibility of the town manager.  The mayor shall, when present, preside at the meetings of the , regulate its proceedings and decide all questions of order,

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 The Mayor shall set the council agenda. The mayor shall, by virtue of the office, be a member of the school committee and a member of the board of trustees of the town library and shall be entitled, when present, to speak and to otherwise participate in the meeting of either body, but shall have no right to vote on any matter coming before either body.  The mayor shall represent the town in its relations with other units of government. The mayor shall present an annual state of the town message to the town council setting out proposed policies to be adopted by the town council which, in the opinion of the mayor, address the problems and opportunities of the town. The mayor shall, from time to time throughout the year, by written communications, recommend to the town council for its consideration such measures as, in the judgment of the mayor, the needs of the town require. The mayor shall be responsible for coordinating the town manager, the trustees of the public library and the school committee in the budget making process, and for the presentation of an annual operating budget message to the town council which makes specific recommendations to the town council for its consideration in adopting the annual operating budget, as provided in article 6. The mayor shall be the primary interface between the elected officers of the town and the administrative service of the town and shall by close and frequent consultation with the town manager provide input and reaction from the elected officers to the appointed administrators and from the appointed administrators to the elected officers.  The mayor shall appoint, subject to the approval of such appointments by the town council as provided in section 2-10, members of the planning board, conservation commission, historical commission, board of appeals (under the zoning ordinance), licensing board and board of health.  The town council shall appoint a town manager to serve for an indefinite term and shall fix the compensation for such person, annually, within the amount appropriated by the town council. The appointment of the town manager shall be made by a vote of five or more members of the town council to confirm the nomination of a town manager made by the mayor.  The town manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the town, directly responsible to the mayor and town council for the administration of all town affairs for which the office of town manager is given responsibility by or under this charter. The powers and duties of the town manager shall include the following:  The town council may, by a majority vote of the full board, terminate and remove, or suspend, the town manager from office in accordance with the following procedure. San Jose, CA  It is the intent of this Article that the Mayor shall be the political leader within the by providing guidance and leadership to the Council, by expressing and explaining to the community the City’s policies and programs and by assisting the Council in the informed, vigorous and effective exercise of its powers. Political leadership shall be concerned with the general development of the community and the general level of City services and activity programs.  The Mayor shall have the following powers and duties:

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 The Mayor shall have the power to make recommendations to the Council on matters of policy and program which require Council decision.  Not less than annually, the Mayor shall address the citizens of the City concerning the current status of City affairs and articulating the policy plans which the Mayor proposes for the City during the ensuring year.  If the Mayor recommends any increases in the City budget, the Mayor shall recommend the method of financing such expenditures. If the Mayor proposes the curtailment of any service, the Mayor shall provide specific recommendations and the reasons for the proposal.  The Mayor shall preside at meetings of the Council and shall have a vote as a member of the Council. The Mayor shall have no veto powers;  The Mayor shall have the power to direct and supervise the Public Information Office of the City.  The Mayor shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Council, provided the same are not inconsistent with this Charter. Nothing in this Section shall be construed in any way as an infringement or limitation on the powers and duties of the City Manager as Chief Administrative Officer and head of the administrative branch of the City government as prescribed in other sections of this Charter. Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the Mayor shall possess only such authority over the City Manager and the administrative branch as he or she possesses as one member of the Council. There shall be a City Manager. The Mayor shall nominate one or more candidates for Council consideration for appointment to the position of City Manager.  The City Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the City. He or she shall be responsible to the Council for the administration of City affairs placed in his or her charge by or under this Charter.

Altoona, PA  The executive powers of the City shall be vested in the Mayor who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the City government.  Following nomination by the Mayor or as otherwise set forth in § 4.3 of this Charter, the , shall appoint a City Manager for an indefinite term and fix the Manager's compensation. The Council may, by a majority vote of its total membership, remove the City Manager at any time, with or without cause.  The City Manager shall be the Chief Administrative and Operating Officer of the City, responsible to the Council for the management of all City affairs placed in the Manager's charge by or under this Charter.  Powers & Duties of Mayor: 1. The Mayor shall serve as a member and Chair of the Council. 2. Facilitate the faithful execution of all laws, provisions of this Charter, and acts of the City Council, however, pursuant to § 3.4(4), the Mayor may not direct any employee and/or official of the City, including the Manager, and must act with Council, as a body, to direct the Manager. 3. Facilitate the submission of an annual budget and any necessary capital budget as may be required by the Administrative Code set forth in § 8.1 to the City Council.

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4. Submit and present to the Council at the beginning of each year a comprehensive "State of the City and Its Government" report with recommendations. 5. Facilitate the work of the Council in developing policy. 6. Lead the Council in the development of long-term goals for the City and strategies to implement those goals. 8. Promote partnerships among Council, staff and citizens in developing public policy in building a sense of community.

Kansas City, MO  The City Manager shall be responsible to the Mayor and Council for the proper administration of all affairs of the City placed under the City Manager's authority, and to that end shall appoint, and may remove, all directors of departments except as otherwise provided in this Charter.  The City Manager shall also appoint all other officers except as otherwise provided in this Charter.  All appointees of the City Manager shall be immediately responsible to the City Manager and may be disciplined or removed by the City Manager at any time, except as otherwise in this Charter specifically provided.  Duties. The Mayor will: o Official head of the City. Be recognized as the official head of the City for all purposes, except as provided otherwise in this Charter. As official head of the City the Mayor may do all things reasonably necessary or desirable to support other types of government entities, including but not limited to county, educational, library, and economic development institutions, in meeting their public purposes when such support and cooperation may also further the mission and powers of the City. o State of the City address. Deliver on an annual basis an address reporting upon the state of the City and making recommendations on goals for the City and proposals for achieving such goals. o Appointment of boards and commissions. Appoint all members of boards and commissions except when provided otherwise in this Charter or by statute, o Preside over meetings of the Council. Preside over all meetings of the Council when in attendance. o Committee membership. Appoint the members of Council committees, including officers of the committees, to serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. o General power and authority. The Mayor will perform all other duties consistent with the office and required by law. o Service of process. Service of all civil process, judicial writs and legal notices running to the City of Kansas City, may be had upon the Mayor

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Stronger Mayor-Weaker Manager Features:  Mayor appoints manager  Mayor appoints all committees/boards  Mayor, together with manager, appoints department heads  Mayor is Chief Executive of City  Mayor and Council have joint removal authority of manager  Manager, in conjunction with Mayor, has daily administrative control of city  Manager, in conjunction with Mayor, supervises department heads  Mayor controls budget process  Manager reports to Mayor, not Council  Mayor has veto authority  Mayor sits on school committee Municipalities:  Shelton, CT  Easton, PA  Jefferson City, MO Sample Language: Shelton, CT Section 3.1. - Office, Election and Qualifications.

The chief executive officer of the City shall be a Mayor. The Mayor shall be elected as provided in Section 2.4.(a) of this Charter. The Mayor shall be an elector and a resident of the City.

Section 3.2. - Powers and Duties.

The Mayor shall have all powers and duties of a chief executive officer specifically conferred or imposed by this Charter or the laws of the City or State or United States and all other powers and duties fairly incident to those specifically conferred or imposed. The Mayor shall supervise the general operation and Departments of the City. The Mayor shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Aldermen and the Board of Apportionment and Taxation, at which meetings of the Board he/she shall have a tie-breaking vote only. The Mayor shall prepare and have printed, as soon as possible after the close of each fiscal year, an annual City report. The Mayor shall prepare and submit to the Board of Apportionment and Taxation an annual budget as provided in Chapter 7 of this Charter. The Mayor shall have such other lawful powers and duties as may be conferred or imposed by ordinance or resolution of the Board of Aldermen; provided, however, that the Board of Aldermen shall not diminish, in any way, the powers and duties of the Mayor except those powers and duties conferred or imposed on the Mayor by the Board of Aldermen under this Section.

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Section 6.1. - Administrative Assistant.

6.1.1. Appointment and Removal; Qualifications:

The Mayor shall appoint and may remove an Administrative Assistant. The Administrative Assistant shall be chosen on the basis of his/her administrative qualifications, character, education, training and experience. The Administrative Assistant shall hold at least a baccalaureate degree with a minimum of one (1) year of experience in (federal, state, or municipal) or private business or industry in a responsible management, supervisory capacity; or he/she shall hold at least an associate degree with a minimum of two (2) years of such experience; or in lieu of a college degree, shall have a minimum of four (4) years of such experience.

6.1.2. Powers and Duties:

The Mayor may, from time to time, delegate to the Administrative Assistant, such administrative powers or duties vested in the Mayor as the Mayor deems appropriate, and any powers or duties so delegated may be increased or diminished only by the Mayor. The Mayor may, from time to time, terminate the delegation of any powers or duties to the Administrative Assistant, but all acts of the Administrative Assistant pursuant to the delegation of such powers or duties which are performed prior to termination shall be and remain the acts of the Mayor.

The powers and duties delegated shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(a)Serving as personnel officer and administering the merit system, the Administrative Assistant, subject to the approval of the Mayor, may delegate these duties to a Personnel Director/Director of Human Resources;

(b)Serving as intergovernmental grantsman by researching, preparing, and submitting required applications for programs pertinent to the well being of the City;

(c)Assisting the Mayor in the supervision of all offices, departments, and other agencies of the City;

(d)Serving as public information officer and handling citizen comments;

(e)Exercising such other powers and performing such other duties as the Mayor may prescribe.

The Administrative Assistant or a designee of the Administrative Assistant, both of whom are subject to the approval of the Mayor shall be responsible for the day-to-day administrative supervision in personnel matters of all full-time and part-time employees of all Boards and Commissions. Such supervision shall not be deemed to infringe upon the authority of such Boards and Commissions granted by this Charter.

The Administrative Assistant shall devote his/her full time to the duties of his/her office.

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Easton, PA

§ C-2.03 The Mayor. A. Powers and Duties. The Mayor shall be a voting member of the City Council and shall: (1) Attend and preside at meetings of the Council; (2) Represent the City in intergovernmental relationships; (3) Appoint, with the advice and consent of the Council, the members of citizen advisory boards and commissions; (4) Publicly present an annual "State of the City and Its Government" message; (5) Appoint the members and officers of Council committees; (6) Assign, subject to the consent of Council, agenda items to committees; and (7) Perform other duties specified by the Council. B. The Mayor shall be recognized as head of the City government for all ceremonial purposes and by the Governor for purposes of military law as stipulated in Article III. The Mayor shall also be the Chief Executive Officer of the City. The Council shall select a Vice Mayor from among its members to perform the presiding officer duties listed above in the absence or disability of the Mayor. § C-3.01 The Mayor. A. The executive powers of the City shall be vested in the Mayor, who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the City government. B. Powers and Duties of the Mayor. (1) Serve as a member and Chair of the Council; (2) See that all laws, provisions of this Charter, and acts of the City Council are faithfully executed; (3) Submit the Annual Budget and Capital Program to the City Council; (4) Submit and present to the Council at the beginning of each year a comprehensive "State of the City and Its Government" report with recommendations; (5) Facilitate the work of the Council in developing policy; (6) Lead the Council in the development of long-term goals for the City and strategies to implement those goals; (7) Encourage and support regional and intergovernmental cooperation; and (8) Promote partnerships among Council, staff and citizens in developing public policy in building a sense of community. C. Appointment by the Mayor. Subject to the advice and consent from a majority of the City Council, the Mayor shall appoint and may remove, subject also to such consent: (1) The City Administrator. (2) The City Solicitor and any Assistant Solicitors. The Mayor shall also appoint: (3) All members of authorities, boards, and commissions, subject to the advice and consent from at least five (5) members of Council; and (4) A Deputy Mayor to perform the executive duties in the event of the Mayor's absence or disability. The Deputy Mayor shall be the City Administrator unless the Administrator is not a

8 resident of the City, in which case, the Mayor may select any department director or City employee but not an elected official. The appointment requires no advice and consent of Council. § C-3.02 The City Administrator — Appointment; Qualifications; Compensation. Following nomination by the Mayor, the City Council, by a majority vote of its total membership, shall appoint a City Administrator for an indefinite term and fix the Administrator's compensation. The City Administrator shall be appointed on the basis of education and experience in the accepted competencies and practices of management. For example: a master's degree with a concentration in public administration, public affairs, or public policy and two (2) years' experience in an appointed managerial or administrative position in a local government or a bachelor's degree with those concentrations and five (5) years' such experience. The City Administrator need not be a resident of the City or state at the time of appointment but must become a resident of the City no later than one (1) year after that appointment. § C-3.04 Powers and Duties of the City Administrator. The City Administrator shall be the chief administrative and operating officer of the City, responsible to the Mayor and Council for the management of all City affairs placed in the Administrator's charge by or under this Charter. The City Administrator shall, subject to approval by the Mayor: (1) Appoint and suspend or remove all City employees and appointive administrative officers provided for by or under this Charter, except as otherwise provided by law, this Charter or personnel rules adopted pursuant to this Charter. The City Administrator shall appoint the directors of departments, subject to approval of the Mayor. The City Administrator may authorize any administrative officer subject to the Administrator's direction and supervision to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates in that officer's department, office or agency. (2) Direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the City, except as otherwise provided by this Charter or by law. (3) Attend all City Council meetings. The City Administrator shall have the right to take part in discussion but shall not vote. (4) Prepare the Annual Budget and Capital Program for the Mayor and the City Council, and implement the final budget approved by Council to achieve the goals of the City. (5) Submit to the Mayor and City Council, and make available to the public, a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the City as of the end of each fiscal year. (6) Make such other reports as the City Council may require concerning operations and recommend plans, performance measures, and bench marks to the Mayor to be included in the annual "State of the City and Its Government" message. (7) Keep the Mayor and City Council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the City. (8) Provide staff support services for the Mayor and Council Members. (9) Perform such other duties as are specified in this Charter or may be required by the City Council.

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Jefferson City, MO ARTICLE IV – MAYOR Section 4.1. Election, Term; Qualifications. a) The mayor shall be elected by the qualified voters of the city at regular municipal general elections held in 1987 and each four years thereafter.

Section 4.4. Mayor’s Powers and Duties. The mayor shall be the chief executive of the city. He shall have the following powers and duties: 1. Preside, Tie-Breaking. The mayor shall preside at meetings of the council, and the mayor but not the president Pro tempore shall have the right to vote only in case of a tie. The mayor may call special meetings of the council as provided in subsection (a) of section 3.11 2. Recommendations. The mayor shall at the beginning of each fiscal year and may at any other time give the council information as to the affairs of the city and any recommendations the mayor may have. 3. Approve or Disapprove Legislation. The mayor shall approve or disapprove ordinances and resolutions in the manner provided in subsection (g) of section 3.11. 4. Enforce Laws. The mayor shall see that all laws, provisions of the charter and acts of the council subject to enforcement by the mayor or by officers subject to the mayor’s direction and supervision are faithfully executed. 5. Budget. The mayor shall propose an annual budget and five-year capital improvement program to the council. 6. Remit Fines. The mayor shall have power to remit fines and forfeitures and to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses arising under ordinances of the city; but this section shall not be so construed as to authorize the mayor to remit any costs which may have accrued to any officer of the city by reason of any prosecution under the laws or ordinances of the city. 7. Other Duties. The mayor shall exercise the powers and perform the duties prescribed by charter, ordinance, or law. 8. Review Administrator. The mayor shall annually review the performance of the city administrator and report to the council concerning the same. 9. Policies. The mayor shall discuss with the city administrator any and all policy matters. 10. Appointments. The mayor with the advice and consent of a majority of the council, shall appoint all members of committees, boards, and commissions.

ARTICLE V – CITY ADMINISTRATOR Section 5.1. City Administrator. a) Office Established; Appointment and Tenure.

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There shall be a city administrator nominated by the mayor and appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of a majority of the council. The person appointed shall serve for an indefinite term. b) Removal. The city administrator may be removed on recommendation of the mayor with the consent of a majority of the council, or by a two- thirds vote of the council on its own initiative. c) Compensation. The city administrator shall be paid a salary of an amount established by the mayor, with the approval of a majority of the council, or by a two- thirds vote of the council on its own initiative. d) Qualifications. The person appointed to the office of city administrator shall possess qualifications provided by ordinance. Section5.2. Duties and Powers. a) Duties; Responsible to Mayor and Council. The city administrator shall be responsible to the mayor and the council for the administration of all city affairs placed in his charge by or under this charter. Except as otherwise specified by ordinance, or by state law, the city administrator shall coordinate and generally supervise the operation of all departments, both line and staff. b) Appointment and Removal of Employees. The city administrator shall make recommendations of appointment and removal of department heads for the approval of the mayor and council. The city administrator shall have the power to appoint and remove all other subordinate employees of the city. This section shall apply to all city positions except those governed by sections 6.2 and 6.3. c) Budget. The city administrator shall prepare and submit a recommended annual budget and five – year capital improvements program to the mayor.

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