In the council-manager form of
government, the council is the governing
body of the city elected by the public, and
the city manager is hired by council to carry out
the policies it establishes. In Brunswick, the council
consists of seven members
plus a mayor. The Vice Mayor is selected by the council
as defined in the city
charter. The size of the council is generally
smaller than that of a mayor-council
municipality, and council elections are
nonpartisan.
The council provides legislative
direction while the manager is responsible
for day-to-day administrative operation of
the city based on the council’s
recommendations. The council
as a collegial body is responsible for
setting policy, approving the budget, and
determining the tax rate. The manager
serves as the council’s chief advisor.
Managers also serve at the pleasure of the
council and are responsible for preparing the
budget, directing day-to-day operations, and
hiring and firing personnel.
The mayor is recognized
as the ceremonial head of the municipality, but
is a member of the legislative body and does
not have the power to veto legislative
actions.
