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Mayor-council vs. council-manager:
Which form of government suits Summerfield better?
Updated October 3, 2007
Click here to see an ICMA brochure explaining Council-Manager form (PDF)
Currently Summerfield, with a population of over 7,000, is governed by a mayor-council form of government. However, many towns our size and larger are governed under a council-manager form, which is generally considered more efficient for the mid-sized town which Summerfield has rapidly become.
The council-manager form of government combines the policy-making responsibilities of the elected officials with the technical expertise of professional managers. This allows ordinary citizens to be elected to represent the broad policy concerns of citizens while ensuring the implementation of these policies is carried out by trained professionals.
Perhaps the most compelling argument in favor of the council-manager form is its inherent efficiency, enabling a more streamlined government to react more quickly when services are needed. The major disadvantage identified is less involvement of council in day-to-day operations.
The group is continuing its research and will share any information and conclusions on this site. If you would like to learn more, here are some links (below) to resources that you may find helpful. If you would like to share any insights you have into which form you believe is better, please send an e-mail to friendsforsummerfield@gmail.com.
Guilford Record article, "Forum covers civics lesson"
http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/NRSTAFF/710030309/-1/news1801
Northwest Observer article, "Town Government Forum Scheduled"
http://www.nwobserver.com/newsfeed/?p=2121
Northwest Observer article, "Summerfield Town Council Meeting - August 14, 2007"
http://www.nwobserver.com/newsfeed/?p=1969
Northwest Observer article, "Referendum Might Not Be on Ballot"
http://www.nwobserver.com/newsfeed/?p=1928
Guilford Record article, " Public weighs in on plan"
http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070819/NRSTAFF/70817040/-1/news1801
Guilford Record article, "Summerfield voters to get referendum"
http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070613/NEWSREC0112/306130004/1058/NEWSREC0112
Northwest Observer article, "Summerfield Town Council Meeting — May 8, 2007"
http://www.nwobserver.com/newsfeed/?p=1500
Northwest Observer article, "Council to Select from Eight Applicants"
http://www.nwobserver.com/newsfeed/?p=1416
News 14 Carolina interview with Jane Doggett, "Summerfield looks to change government"
http://news14.com:80/Default.aspx?ArID=102098
Northwest Observer article, "Town administrator or manager?"
http://www.nwobserver.com/newsfeed/?p=1108#more-1108
Northwest Observer editorial, "The Process for Change"
http://www.nwobserver.com/newsfeed/?p=1123
Northwest Observer editorial, "Time for a change?"
http://www.nwobserver.com/newsfeed/?p=1088
Northwest Observer article, "Council may reconsider government structure"
http://www.nwobserver.com/newsfeed/?p=1063
International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
http://icma.org/main/topic.asp?moreDocs=1&DT_Code=RPT&hsid=1&tpid=20
UNC Institute of Government's Publication Page
(Information about Municipal Government in North Carolina, a book mentioned in our discussion)
http://shopping.netsuite.com/sogstore
Amazon has used copies of Municipal Government in North Carolina starting at $6.95
http://www.amazon.com/Municipal-government-in-North-Carolina/dp/1560112484/sr=8-1/qid=1170852343/ref=sr_1_1/002-8701443-1832069?ie=UTF8&s=books
Other links you might find useful:
http://www.citymayors.com/government/council_managers.html
http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/23083.DirectingStaff.pdf
(interesting article dealing with how council interacts with staff in California)
http://www.politicalinformation.net/encyclopedia/Council-manager_government.htm
http://www.council-manager.org/history.php
http://www.elkinnc.org/?BISKIT=2008991&CONTEXT=cat&cat=10016
http://www.ci.troy.mi.us/FAQ/CouncilManager.asp
http://www.ci.concord.nc.us/downloads/CouncilManagerFormOfGov.pdf
http://www.greenvillenc.gov/departments/mayor_city_council/default.aspx?id=501
