Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

The City of Lethbridge use the council-manager form of city government i.e. city council makes laws and broad policy decisions for a city manager and staff to carry out. In other words, under the council-manager form of government a city manager fills the role of chief executive officer (CEO) of the government organization. Like a private sector CEO does for a private company, a city manager oversees the day-to-day operations of a city and serves as the chief advisor to city council. In supervising daily operations of a city, a manager is responsible for effective and efficient government service. All city employees ultimately answer to a city manager and such can hire and fire staff as appropriate and allowable by law. As a council’s chief policy advisor, a city manager can recommend city policy for consideration by council. A manager has a professional obligation to give complete and unbiased information to council. A manager should consult with department heads and the city solicitor to ensure the advice