Common Council vs. City Manager Role

Common Council vs. City Manager Role

April 5, 2016

On April 19th, we will swear in and begin the orientation process for new common council members. This year we are planning on a formal overview, in addition to having the new members meet department heads and tour city facilities.  

One of the key topics in the formal overview will be the role of the council versus the role of the City Manager. Here are the major responsibilities of the Common Council:

v  Set strategic direction of community. Identify priorities, goals and services.

v  Enact ordinances and policies.

v  Approve budget, tax levy and fees.

v  Approve contracts.

v  Provide oversight through the City Manager.

A few months ago I spoke at the Senior Center. During that lunch, one of the participants expressed their dismay about the library block project and the fact that the old hospital was being torn down. I described some of the ways the project would be beneficial for the community, but I also said that it was ultimately a Council decision. To which the citizen replied, “Why do we need a City Manager?”

I would argue that there a lot of very good reasons to have a City Manager (I will note a bias on my part). But setting strategic direction and/or making policy is not part of my role. When I arrived, the Council had already set a direction with respect to the library project. My role was to provide them with the best information possible during the course of their decision making process. That included engaging financial consultants to run financial projections based on a number of scenarios. It involved gathering legal advice and making recommendations with respect to language in the agreement. It also involved acting as point person with our attorney during the negotiation process. These are not small tasks and I would argue that they require some professional expertise to accomplish effectively.

So what does the City Manager do? Here the list for my role:

v  Assist the Common Council in determining strategic priorities for the community.

v Provide technical expertise to assist Common Council in vetting policy decisions. Implement policy decisions and legislative actions taken by the City Council.

v Work with department heads to oversee day-to-day operations of the City.

v Oversee preparation of the City budget. Make recommendations to maintain and improve the long term fiscal health of the community.

v Develop a high performance organization. Recruit, hire, and supervise City staff.

v Facilitate cross functional initiatives both within and outside the organization.

v Represent and/or advocate the City with intergovernmental partners and stakeholders. Monitor legislative activity that may impact City.

v Serve as economic development lead. Convene economic development partners. Negotiate economic development packages within parameters set by Common Council.

Leadership guru Warren Bennis says “Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things.” It is largely the Common Council’s role to tell me what the “right things” are for Platteville. Individual citizens may not agree with their direction, but that is the Common Council’s role in our representative democracy. If (when) new elected officials set a different direction, it will be my job as City Manager to work with staff to do our best to accomplish those goals.