Three Types Of Government In The United States

The United States is divided into different states, cities, and towns. All of them, if not most of them, have some kind of corporate status. They have their own local government. These towns or cities that have a local government are called municipalities. There are three types of government in vast municipalities: mayor council, council-manager, and commission. These towns and cities have a charter that explain and describe the limited power one has briefly and concisely. The State usually is the one that hands out these charters most cities and towns acquire. The members within the local government all have a specific service to keep up with. For example, sewers, trash pickup, schools, public departments, ect… The large municipalities provide these services to them.
Furthermore, usually, the type of government that is most used to run a city would be the mayor- council type. It was quickly adopted by most cities because it was the most reasonable one to use. “In this type of government, there is an elected mayor and a separate elected city council” (Naegeli). The chief executive would
be the mayor and the legislation would be the council. Within this type of government the weak mayor and strong mayor are introduced. The weak mayor usually is involved in small situations. “The mayor does not have the ability to veto laws or appoint department leaders” (Naegeli). The weak mayor plan is used by most to prevent one person from obtaining way too much power. However, the strong mayor plan is quite different. It gives more power and ability to rule without the council intervening. “A strong mayor oversees all aspects of city government, prepares a budget, and approves the plans and programs of the city council” (Naegeli).
Nevertheless, the council- manager form of government puts together the elected officials with a strong political leadership and a government manager from the local area.
“The form establishes a representative system, where all power is concentrated in the elected council and where the council hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services” (Council / Manager Form of Government). The manager’s performance is observed daily. They make sure the manager does the work properly if not the council is able to terminate the professional. The council makes the community’s projects and goals. “The manager is hired to serve the council and the community and to bring to the local government the benefits of training and experience in administering local government projects and programs on behalf of the governing body” (Council / Manager Form of
Government).
Nonetheless, there is one more type of government and it is commission. The commission form of government has about five to seven members depending on the size of the community. “As a group the commissioners constitute the legislative body of the city responsible for taxation, appropriations, ordinances, and other general functions” (Commission Form of City Government). Each commissioner has a specific duty to maintain public safety, money, and public needs individually.
Overall, the three types of governments that are briefly describe on the paragraphs above have a different way of leading a town or city. While most municipalities have the mayor council government, others have the council- manager, and city commission government. They all play a different role depending on the charter that is granted to the cities and towns. Although, these types of government are different, they each protect the city or towns equally and want what is best for the communities.