Analyze the difference between the commission form of local government and the council-manager form of local government.

Question

in the former, different people decide executive and legislative issues, while in the latter, the same people have an equal voice on executive and legislative issues.
In the former, the commissioners are from England, and in the latter, the council is chosen by the governor.
in the former, the same people have equal voice on executive and legislative issues in the latter different people decide on executive and legislative issues
in the former the manager is the head executive and in the latter, the mayor is the head executive

Answer 1

The commission form of local government and the council-manager form of local government differ in several key aspects.

1. Decision-making: In the commission form, different individuals are responsible for making executive and legislative decisions. Typically, a small group of elected commissioners is responsible for legislative matters, while an appointed manager handles executive functions. On the other hand, the council-manager form provides for an equal voice on both executive and legislative issues for the same group of individuals. The elected council members collectively make decisions on both fronts.

2. Origin of commissioners/council: In the commission form, the commissioners are typically elected by the local population. However, in the council-manager form, the council is chosen by the governor or another higher-level authority.

3. Equal voice: The council-manager form emphasizes equal voice among council members on both executive and legislative issues. This allows for greater collaboration, decision-making, and accountability among the council members. In contrast, the commission form may not provide an equal platform for all commissioners, as one or a few individuals may have more influence or power in decision-making.

4. Head executive: In the council-manager form, the head executive position is typically held by a professional manager who is appointed by the council. This manager is responsible for implementing policies, managing staff, and overseeing day-to-day operations. In the commission form, the head executive may be the mayor or a commissioner elected by the group. This individual may have more direct decision-making authority and responsibility in the management of the local government.

Overall, the council-manager form of local government promotes collaboration, equal voice, and professional management, while the commission form may have a more distinct separation between executive and legislative functions and may provide a more direct role for elected officials in decision-making.