Chapter 14 – Counties, Cities, Villages & Townships
14.6 How Cities & Villages Are Governed
Ohio cities and villages can be governed using two main models: the mayor/council model and the council/manager model.
In the mayor/council model, the mayor is an elected official who serves as the chief executive officer of the city. The mayor oversees the daily operations of the city, implements policies, and often has veto power over council decisions. The city council, also elected, acts as the legislative body, passing laws, approving budgets, and representing the interests of the residents. This model emphasizes a strong leadership role for the mayor, who is directly accountable to the voters for the city’s administration.
In contrast, the council/manager model separates political leadership from administrative management. The city (or village) council, elected by the residents, functions as the legislative body and is responsible for making policies for the city. The council then hires a professional city manager to execute these policies and handle the day-to-day operations. The city manager is an appointed official who serves at the pleasure of the council and is theoretically selected based on professional qualifications rather than political affiliation. This model aims to provide efficient and effective management through professional expertise, while the elected council focuses on policy and representation.
Both models can help local governments be responsive to their residents’ needs, but they differ in the distribution of executive powers and the role of professional management in the governance process.
Watch a video produced by the International City/County Management Association, an organization that advocates for the council/manager model:
YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP54bvzocRs
Duration: 2:22
Conversely, proponents of a strong mayor system argue that it ensures clear accountability by placing executive authority in a single elected leader who is directly responsible to the voters. They also emphasize that this structure allows for more decisive leadership and streamlined decision-making, particularly in addressing urgent issues or implementing citywide initiatives efficiently.
Reference
Bethel, Alyssa. 2015. Overview of Ohio Local Government. Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Columbus, OH.