Government Roles Explained

Understanding the McCall City-Manager Form of Government

  • The McCall City Council consists of five elected individuals that make laws and broad policy decisions for the city manager and staff to carry out.
  • All power and authority to set policy rests with our elected governing body, the McCall City Council which includes the mayor.
  • According to the International City/County Management Association, the council-manager form of government “combines the strong political leadership of elected officials with the strong managerial experience of an appointed manager or administrator.”

Government Roles Explained

City Manager

Under the council-manager form of government a non-partisan city manager functions as the chief executive of the government organization. The city manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the city and serves as an advisor to the city council.

McCall’s city manager is responsible for directing daily operations that ensure effective and efficient government service. Every city employee, with the exception of the Library Director, answers to the city manager, so the city manager has the right to hire and fire staff as appropriate and allowable by law.

As the council’s chief policy advisor, the city manager recommends city policy for consideration by the council. The manager has a professional obligation to give complete and unbiased information to the council and consults with their department heads and the city attorney to ensure proper direction.

McCall Government Structure

Council

The city council is the legislative body for McCall. It’s role is to adopt laws and policies to govern the city. The council leaves implementation up the the city manager and city staff.

Council members are elected by a majority vote of its residents. Direct election ensures that council members are responsive to the people who voted them into office.

The Mayor

McCall’s Mayor is an equal voting member of the city council that has no more authority than any other council member. The mayor presides over council meetings and performs ceremonial duties as outlined.