Council-Manager Form of Government

The City of Champaign operates under the council-manager form of government. Under the council-manager form, the City Council is elected by the public and serves as the governing body of the City. The City Council then appoints a professional City Manager, who implements Council direction and oversees the day-to-day operations of the City.

The City Manager is the Chief Executive Officer for the City government. The City Manager serves at the pleasure of the City Council and is charged with putting the Council’s vision, goals, and priorities into action. The City Manager provides leadership for the City organization, sets performance expectations for City staff, and supervises all City Department Heads.

The City Manager is the chief advisor to Council members, providing them with recommendations based upon complete and objective information about City operations and services. The City Manager is responsible for the preparation of City Council meeting agendas and scheduling items for Council discussion and action. The City Manager carries out the decisions of the Council with an emphasis on effective, efficient, and equitable service delivery to the entire community.

According to the International City/County Management Association, more than 73 percent of cities, towns, and counties across America with populations of 2,500 or more have professional managers. Professional managers are trained in the business of managing government and its resources, and they bring a community-wide perspective to City decision-making. City Managers operate under a professional Code of Ethics to ensure that their conduct and decisions merit the trust of the public, elected officials, and the staff they serve. The City Manager remains politically neutral and does not engage in election activity. The political neutrality of the City Manager and staff is essential to the success of this form of government. The City Manager implements the will of the people as expressed through the City Council.

For more information about the Council-Manager form of government, please visit the International City/County Management Association website.