The Council/Manager Plan

Where It Works

Today, the Council-Manager form of government is the most popular choice of structure among U.S. communities with populations of 2,500 or greater. During the past dozen years, an average of 44 U.S. cities annually have adopted the Council-Manager form, while an average of only two per year have abandoned it. In total, more than 3,400 communities (cities, villages and townships) and more than 370 counties operate under this form. From large to small, they represent more than 89 million Americans.

Larger communities Of the 237 cities with greater than 100,000 residents, nearly 60% use a Council-Manager form of government. A recent study by Syracuse University of the largest 35 cities in the United States revealed the two top rated cities use the Council-Manager form of government. Receiving the highest overall grades of an A and A- were Phoenix, Arizona, and Austin, Texas respectively. They were the only two cities to receive an A. The report stated that, Both are committed to rigorous management and performance in all areas of government, leading to countless improvements in delivering services to residents. And both do a good job of involving their citizens in the effort to be effective. Click here to read more.

Large cities and counties using the council-Manager form of government include:

* Austin, Texas
* Broward County, Florida
* Charlotte, North Carolina
* Clark County, Nevada
* Dallas, Texas
* Fairfax County, Virginia
* Hamilton County, Ohio
* Las Vegas, Nevada
* Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
* Oklahoma City. Oklahoma
* Phoenix, Arizona
* San Antonio, Texas
* San Diego, California
* San Jose, California
* Santa Clara County, California
* Virginia Beach, Virginia
* Wichita, Kansas

Source of data: Municipal Year Books 1984-2002

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Michigan Local Government Management Association, 1675 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105