Understanding strong mayor vs. strong manager

The way local government runs a city or borough can affect the lives of its residents. The two common types of local government structures, strong mayor system and the strong manager system.

Let's start with the strong mayor system. In this setup, the mayor is like the captain of a ship. The mayor is voted directly for the role, either by the voters or the elected body if they are a second class municipality. This person becomes the chief executive of the city. The mayor has a lot of power and responsibility. They hire and fire department heads (sometimes with confirmation votes from the entire council), prepare the city's budget, and oversee day-to-day operations. Think of it like being the boss of a big company, but instead of a company, it's an entire city or borough.

One advantage of the strong mayor system is clear leadership. Voters know exactly who is in charge and who to hold accountable for the city's successes or failures. This can lead to quicker decision-making and the ability to respond rapidly to crises. However, it also means that a lot depends on the skills and personality of one person. If the mayor isn't up to the task, it can cause problems for the entire city.

Now, let's look at the strong manager system, also known as the council-manager form of government. In this setup, the city council holds most of the power. They make laws and set policies, just like in the strong mayor system. But instead of a powerful mayor, they hire a professional city manager to run the day-to-day operations of the city.

The city manager is like the CEO of a corporation. They're not elected by the public but are chosen by the council based on their qualifications and experience in public administration. The manager prepares the budget, hires and fires department heads, and makes sure city services are running smoothly. They're expected to be non-partisan and focus on efficient, effective government operations.

In a strong manager system, there is usually still a mayor, but their role is more ceremonial. They might lead city council meetings and represent the city at events, but they don't have the same level of executive power as in a strong mayor system. The city council often chooses the mayor in this system from among its members, rather than being directly elected by voters.

An advantage of the strong manager system is that it puts a trained professional in charge of city operations. City managers usually have degrees in public administration and years of experience. This can lead to more efficient government and long-term planning. It can also help keep politics out of day-to-day city management.

However, the strong manager system can sometimes feel less representative to residents. The person making many important decisions isn't accountable to voters. It can also be harder for citizens to know who's responsible for city policies and actions, and to take action to stop poor management.

The choice between these systems can have a big impact on how your local government operates. In a strong mayor system, elections can lead to big shifts in city priorities and management. In a strong manager system, there's often more continuity in how the city is run, even when elected officials change.

No matter which system your city uses, staying informed and involved is key. Attend city council and/or borough assembly meetings, read about local issues, and reach out to your representatives. Your voice matters in shaping your community's future.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.