MAYOR

Mayor, in modern usage, the head of a municipal government. As such, the mayor is almost invariably the chairman of the municipal council and of the council executive committee. In addition, the mayor may fulfill the roles of chief executive officer, ceremonial figurehead, and local agent of the central government. In another, more recent, system of municipal management—the council-manager system—the mayor has a much-reduced role, serving essentially only as head of the council. Whatever the form of local government, the mayor’s role may be said to rest largely on the relationship of the mayor to the council and to the central government.

These responsibilities may include:

• Serving on the city council.

• Voting in council meetings.

• Assigning council members to chair or serve on committees.

• Appointing citizens to serve on advisory boards or commissions.

• Preparing the annual budget; Receiving the annual budget developed by chief administrative official or city manager; and

• Making an annual report to the council.