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Council-Manager Form of Government
Form of Government
Cedar Park operates under the council-manager form of government, per the city charter. The council-manager form is a system of local government that combines the political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council or other governing body with the managerial experience of an appointed local government manager.
City Council
The Cedar Park City Council consists of a Mayor and six at-large Council positions. All of these elected positions are volunteer.
View more information on the Cedar Park City Council.
City Manager's Office
The Cedar Park City Manager's Office administers the programs and policies of the City Council. The manager and staff provide professional assistance to the City Council including information and recommendations.
View more information on the City Manager's Office.
The Council-Manager Form of Government: Answers to Your Questions
Per the City's charter, Cedar Park operates under the Council-Manager form of government. Appointed by the Cedar Park City Council, the city manager is the chief administrative officer for the City. The manager is responsible for achieving the goals and implementing the policies of the City Council, which emphasize community, service, and fiscal responsibility. The manager works closely with the City Council on identifying the priorities of our residents, businesses, and visitors. The manager, along with the city management staff, provides professional leadership and direction for the day-to-day operations of this dynamic full-service city.
The FAQs information was provided by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
- What is the council-manager form, which is used in so many local governments?
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The council-manager form is the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council or other governing body, with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The form establishes a representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected council and where the council hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services.
- What is the council’s function?
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The council is the legislative body; its members are the community's decision-makers. Power is centralized in the elected council, which approves the budget and determines the tax rate, for example. The council also focuses on the community's goals, major projects, and such long-term considerations as community growth, land use development, capital improvement plans, capital financing, and strategic planning. The council hires a professional manager to carry out the administrative responsibilities and supervises the manager's performance.