Is there a future for city managers? The evolving roles of officials in council-manager government
By: SVARA, James H
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ArticlePublisher: New York : Marcel Dekker, 1989International Journal of Public Administration - IJPA 12, 2, p. 179-212Abstract: Changes in the roles of elected officials in councilmanager government have important implications for the position of the manager as a professional public administrator. The form of government itself will be threatened if mayors take on executive tasks and if the council carries activism and constituency service to the point of undermining the professionalism of the manager and staff. These negative consequences are not necessary outcomes of current trends. The role of the manager will continue to he transformed but need not be undermined by the expanding contributions of elected officials. Complementary roles may be identified for the mayor, council members, and manager which represent a blending of greater parts of both political and professional leadership in city government
Changes in the roles of elected officials in councilmanager government have important implications for the position of the manager as a professional public administrator. The form of government itself will be threatened if mayors take on executive tasks and if the council carries activism and constituency service to the point of undermining the professionalism of the manager and staff. These negative consequences are not necessary outcomes of current trends. The role of the manager will continue to he transformed but need not be undermined by the expanding contributions of elected officials. Complementary roles may be identified for the mayor, council members, and manager which represent a blending of greater parts of both political and professional leadership in city government
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