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<br />How to Adopt Council-Manager Government <br /> <br />Page 2 of3 <br /> <br />Try to schedule the date of the referendum for maximum voter patticipation, particulat'ly if <br />a high turnout will result in adoption of the plan, Consider how long the campaign should <br />be. A short campaign means a quick vote. If a long campaign will allow the opposition to <br />gain strength, perhaps the short catnpaign is a wise choice. <br /> <br />3. Carry out the campaign <br /> <br />Inform the public, research and get the facts about the council-manager form, seek finances <br />and volunteers, and concentrate resources in focus areas to maximize campaign <br />effectiveness. <br /> <br />Ways to Adopt the Plan <br /> <br />There are generally three ways to adopt the council-manager form: <br /> <br />1. Public Vote to Change the Charter <br /> <br />Jurisdictions with a charter can place an issue on the ballot tor citizens to determine. Charter <br />change generally can be placed on the ballot either by a vote of the elected body or through <br />a citizen petition. The petition process is governed by the charter or state law. <br /> <br />2. Adopt Ordinance <br /> <br />In this case, council votes on an ordinance or resolution to implement the council-manager <br />form. <br /> <br />3. Adopt Existing State Legislation <br /> <br />In this case, council votes on an ordinance or resolution to adopt existing state legislation <br />which implements the council manager form. <br /> <br />An Example <br /> <br />As mentioned above, the laws and means necessary to implement the council-manager form vary by <br />state. The following is the legal underpinnings of the council-manager plan in California: <br /> <br />State law authorizes general law cities to adopt what is kllown as the "city manager furm of government <br />which is sometimes also referred to as "the council-manager plan". (See generally Cal. Gov't Code <br />934851 et seq.) This approach allows the council to delegate to a manager the power to administer the <br />day-to-day affairs of the city. <br /> <br />The managers responsibilities are defined by ordinance. (See generally Cal. Gov't Code 934852.) T'llese <br />responsibilities include most types of personnel decisions including hiring and firing subordinate <br />employees. (See generally Cal. Gov't Code S34856.) <br /> <br />http://www2.icma.org/upload/library/IQ/I06147.htm <br /> <br />1/16/2003 <br />