The best way to analyze the difference between the commission form of local government and the council-manager form of local government is captured in this statement:
"In the former, the same people have equal voice on executive and legislative issues; in the latter, different people decide executive and legislative issues."
Explanation:
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Commission Form of Government: In this system, a small group of elected commissioners has both executive and legislative powers. Each commissioner typically oversees a specific department (such as public safety, public works, etc.), which means they make decisions that affect both the policy (legislative) and the administration (executive) of local government.
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Council-Manager Form of Government: In contrast, this system separates the legislative and executive branches. An elected city council performs the legislative functions, making laws and policies, while a city manager, appointed by the council, acts as the head of the executive branch, implementing the council's policies and managing day-to-day operations of the government.
This distinction highlights the fundamental structural differences between the two forms of local governance, particularly in the division of powers and responsibilities among elected officials and appointed executives.