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A. City staff and their roles City staff positions and roles are created by a combination of state statute, local ordinance, and city policy. In addition, some charter cities may have provisions in their charter creating and defining staff roles. 1. City manager and city administrator The terms "city manager" and "city administrator" are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are two legally distinct concepts. City managers can only exist in Plan B cities or home rule charter cities that provide for the council-manager form of government. No form of government requires an administrator position. It is most common, however, to see an administrator in a Plan A city. City managers and city administrators have very differently defined roles. A. City administrator The position of city administrator is usually created by ordinance or resolution. Sometimes the administrator position exists in addition to a separate city clerk position, but in smaller cities the duties are often merged into a combined clerk -administrator position. Since state statutes do not specifically provide for a city administrator, or define the powers of the position, duties can vary greatly from city to city. The extent of the city administrator's powers may be defined locally by a combination of ordinance, city policy, and job descriptions. In smaller cities, the responsibilities may essentially be an expansion of the city clerk's duties. Other cities, typically larger cities, may give the administrator broader powers so that they essentially functions as a city manager with duties as discussed below. b. City manager The Plan B form of government is also known as the council-manager plan. It consists of the elected mayor, four or six elected council members, and an appointed city manager. There are 16 Plan B cities in Minnesota. Several home rule charter cities have also adopted the council-manager plan through their charters. An election must be held to become a Plan B city. In Plan B cities, the council retains legislative and policy -making authority, but most administrative responsibilities, such as hiring and firing, are delegated to the city manager. The council's control over these matters is indirect, essentially through its selection and retention of a manager. Minnesota Mayors Chapter 1-39 Association