What’s a ‘council-manager’ government structure, and why does Charlotte have one?
Local governments have direct influence on our day-to-day lives, but the way they’re set up and what they actually govern can vary greatly across different municipalities.
Some cities, including Charlotte, have seen the structure of city government change over the years as communities have evolved. And in Charlotte, there’s also a county government with its own set-up and powers.
Whether you’re new to the area or have lived here for decades, it’s worth knowing how to find out who your representatives are, what powers they have and how that structure came to be.
Here’s what to know about local government in Charlotte and how it got that way.
How Charlotte city government works
Charlotte has, since 1929, had a “council-manager” form of city government.
That means the people elect a mayor and city council members, and they then appoint a city manager.
Mayoral and council elections happen every two years, and candidates in both are affiliated with political parties. The council is made up of seven members who are elected from districts, and four at-large members.
You can see who your district’s council member is and learn more about them at mcmap.org/geoportal.
The mayor and council “set policy, approve the financing of all City operations and enact ordinances, resolutions and orders,” the city says. They also appoint “the city manager, city attorney, city clerk and members of various boards and commissions.”
The appointed city manager “administers the policy and decisions made by city council and oversees the day-to-day operations of City government.”
Prior to 1929, the city had a commission government, made up of a mayor, 21 aldermen, the city clerk, tax collector and water commissioners. And before that, there was “an aldermanic form of government” made up of a mayor and a fluctuating number of aldermen.
Why Charlotte city government is that way
Charlotte’s 1929 shift from a commission to a “council-manager” government structure was a consequence of the city’s growth, Legette Blythe and Charles Raven Brockmann wrote in their book, “Hornets’ Nest: The Story of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.”
“While the commission form worked well in comparison with the preceding aldermanic government, it failed to keep abreast of the needs of a growing city,” they said.
The city was, in fact, growing at a high rate at the time — from a population of 34,014 in 12.76 square miles in 1910 to 82,675 in 19.36 square miles by 1930.
Approved by a vote of 4,436 to 2,496, the new plan allowed for “a professional city manager” to be hired “to execute policies and instructions issued” by councilmembers.
What about Mecklenburg County government?
Mecklenburg County has, since 1868, also had its own government in the form of a Board of County Commissioners.
The board was originally made up of five at-large members but expanded to seven in 1986. It expanded to nine — six elected by districts and three at-large — in 1994 and remains that size today.
Commissioners approve an annual budget that funds various projects related to health, education and more, and set property tax rates. The board also appoints a county manager who oversees a staff of nearly 5,000 employees, according to the county.
Elections are held in the Novembers of even-numbered years, and commissioners are affiliated with political parties.
You can see who your district’s commissioner is and learn more about them at mcmap.org/geoportal.
