What are three major types of city governments in Georgia?

In the mayor-council form of government, the mayor is the head of government, a separate mayor’s office, and also a member of the city council. Other members of the council are elected to office separately from the mayor. The mayor may have powers to appoint department heads and staff and carry out ordinances and policies created by the council. The council, led by the mayor, is responsible for legislative and executive functions of the city government, including adopting budgets, approving contracts, issuing licenses and permits, and establishing other policies. The mayor-council form of government is the most common in Georgia, with over half of all cities using this system.

Commission form of government

Under the commission form of government, the legislative and executive functions of the city government are combined into a single governing body known as the city commission. The commission consists of a group of elected officials, typically ranging from five to nine members, who serve as both the city’s lawmaking body and its executive authority. The commission collectively exercises all powers of the city, including budgeting, taxation, lawmaking, and appointing and overseeing city staff and departments. The mayor is selected from among the commission members, often on a rotational basis, and primarily serves as a ceremonial head of government. The commission form of government is used by a number of cities in Georgia, including Atlanta, Augusta, and Columbus.

Manager-council form of government

In the manager-council form of government, the city council is the legislative body responsible for making laws, setting policies, and adopting the budget. The council appoints a professional city manager, who serves as the city’s chief executive officer and is responsible for carrying out the council’s decisions and overseeing the city’s operations. The city manager has authority over the city’s administrative functions and personnel. This type of government is utilized by cities such as Savannah, Roswell, and Athens.