TEXT 3: MUNICIPALITIES

In 1790, only about 5 percent of all Americans lived in highly populated areas, or urban areas. The largest of these was Philadel­phia, Pennsylvania, with a population of 42,000. Yet, even in such urban areas, local governments did not provide citizens with a great many services.

Over the years, however, the United States has grown beyond the wildest imagina­tions of the early settlers. Today, almost three fourths of the American people live in urban areas found across the country. Over 250 of these urban areas have populations of more than 100,000.

Some urban areas take in not only a central city, but also the suburbs, or the towns and smaller villages around it. This is called a metropolitan area. To govern modern urban areas, local governments must be much more active than they were in the past, providing citizens with a long list of services. Urban areas governed by such units are municipalities.

KINDS OF MUNICIPALITIES

There are over 19,000 municipalities found across the United States. Depending on their population size, area, and location, municipalities may take different forms.

Municipalities with large populations are known as cities. The largest city in the United States is New York City with a population of more than 9 million. Municipalities that serve smaller populations are known as towns, villages, or boroughs.

Regardless of population size, all munici­palities are organized to carry out services needed by the people of their communities. Among the most important are police and fire protection, electric and water service, public transportation, street maintenance, health and welfare services, and parks and recreational facilities.

Depending on their charters, municipal­ities may have one of three forms of govern­ment. These are the mayor-council form, the council-manager form, and the commission form.

MAYOR-COUNCIL GOVERNMENT

Over the years, the most widely used form of municipal government in the United States has been the mayor-council form. Today, this form still is used in more than one half of the municipalities across the country.

In a mayor-council form of government, the most important municipal leaders are the mayor and members of a council. The mayor holds executive responsibility, while the council carries out the legislative duties of the municipality. In most areas, both the mayor and members of the council are elected by the voters of the municipality.

As chief executive, the mayor directs the workings of the municipal government. Often, the mayor is one of the most visible city leaders, addressing current issues, planning new development, and working with state and national leaders. The mayor also acts as a symbol of the municipality and as its key spokesperson. In this role, the mayor might welcome visitors or lead ceremonies to open a new shopping center.

A mayor's term of office varies from city to city. It usually ranges, however, from two to four years.

The council is the municipality's legisla­tive body. The council's most important duty is to make laws for the municipality. As part of this duty, municipal councils often lead investigations and study ideas for changes in policy. They also work on long-range plans for new projects. These may include road devel­opment or sewage disposal.

Most councils have six or less members. In large cities, however, the council may have many more members. The city council of Chicago, Illinois, for example, has 50 mem­bers. The term of office council members serve varies from one to six years among cities across the country.

In many areas, council members are chosen through at large elections. This means that they are elected by all city's voters. Some cities, however, are divided into geogra­phic areas called wards. One or more council members are elected from each ward.

Depending on state law and the provi­sions of the municipal charter, the mayor-council government may follow either a weak-mayor or a strong-mayor plan.

WEAK-MAYOR PLAN. As its name suggests, the weak-mayor plan is one in which the mayor has limited powers. Although still the head of city government, the mayor must share certain executive powers with the council.

Under the weak-mayor plan, one of the most important responsibilities of municipal leadership is given to the council. This is the responsibility to direct the work of city departments—those groups that carry out city services. These might include the departments of health, public works, transportation, police, and fire.

In municipalities with a weak-mayor plan, the council, rather than the mayor, has the authority to appoint and dismiss depart­ment heads. In this way, the council directs city services. In addition, the mayor in a

weak-mayor plan rarely has the power to veto, or reject, council actions. When the veto is allowed, the council often can override it. As a result, it is the council that runs the city government from day to day. In some weak-mayor plans, in fact, the mayor's duties are largely ceremonial. In these cities, the council usually chooses the mayor from among its members.

The weak-mayor plan works best in small municipalities. Often, the position of mayor in such areas is a part-time job.

STRONG-MAYOR PLAN.

The plan of government used by most large cities that have a mayor-council form is the strong-mayor plan. The strong-mayor plan of government is one in which the mayor is given full executive authority.

As chief executive, the mayor has a clear leadership role. It is the mayor who appoints and dismisses city department heads and directs city services. The mayor presents plans for future development, works toward certain legislative programs, and helps prepare the budget. The council in a strong-mayor plan still carries out lawmaking duties. Most mayors in such governments, however, have the power to veto ordinances passed by the council. Figure 3 below shows both the weak-mayor and strong-mayor plans.

Figure 3

MAYOR-COUNCIL GOVERNMENT

Date: 2015-01-12; view: 954