Editing Council–manager government (section)

== Criticism ==

The council–manager form of local government has been criticized as being extremely [[bureaucratic]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url= https://www.abqjournal.com/news/council-manager-system-would-weaken-democracy-in-abq/article_d2422e5b-9313-5b29-a356-d6971d0c471e.html
 |title= Council–manager system would weaken democracy in ABQ
 |website= Albuquerque Journal
 |access-date= 2025-05-18
}}</ref> The city manager is typically hired or fired by the city council rather than being elected by the public. Because city managers are generally not subject to the same political pressures that elected officials face, they may be less responsive to the concerns and needs of the public. Removing a city manager usually requires a majority vote from council members, meaning that a significant shift in council leadership (or an entirely new council) may be needed before action can be taken. This process can take several years—or even a decade or more—to remove a poor‑performing city manager, compared to the relative ease of voting out a poor‑performing mayor in an election.<ref>{{cite web
 |url= https://icma.org/documents/council-manager-form-government-what-it-how-it-works-and-benefits-your-community-brochure
 |title= Council–Manager Form of Government: What it is, how it works, and the benefits to your community
 |publisher= International City/County Management Association
 |access-date= 2025-05-18
}}</ref>

By isolating the executive role from political pressures, the council–manager form of local government can also extend that isolation to various city departments. As the chief administrative officer, the city manager often holds the same hiring and firing powers that are typically scrutinized when concentrated in a single office. This insulation from political oversight can create opportunities for nepotism or bureaucratic favoritism, allowing the same potential for patronage to persist.<ref>{{cite web
 |url= https://rm.coe.int/booklet-a6-combattre-le-nepotisme-coll-public-ethic-fr/168097a4e3
 |title= Fighting Nepotism within Local and Regional Authorities
 |publisher= Council of Europe
 |date= 2019-04-02
 |access-date= 2025-05-18
}}</ref> Critics further argue that such unchecked authority undermines transparency and efficiency, potentially leading to inefficiencies and a lack of accountability in city governance.<ref>{{cite web
 |url= https://www.governing.com/assessments/is-there-a-single-best-way-to-manage-a-city
 |title= Is There a Single Best Way to Manage a City?
 |website= Governing
 |date= 2022-12-05
 |access-date= 2025-05-18
}}</ref> In essence, the council–manager system shifts hiring authority from an elected mayor to an appointed city manager, which can perpetuate the very favoritism and patronage it was designed to eliminate.<ref>{{cite web
 |url= https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Guide-to-Charter-Commissions.pdf
 |title= Guide for Charter Commissions
 |publisher= National Civic League
 |date= 2017
 |access-date= 2025-05-18
}}</ref>