In a mayor-council form of government, who is responsible for supervising departments?

In a mayor-council form of government, the mayor plays a pivotal role as the chief executive officer of the municipality. One of the key responsibilities of the mayor is to supervise the various departments within the city. This includes overseeing the implementation of policies, management of resources, and ensuring that the departments effectively carry out their duties in alignment with the city's objectives.

The mayor's authority typically allows for direct oversight and the ability to appoint and remove department heads, which reinforces their role in departmental supervision. This structure enhances accountability, as the mayor is elected by the citizens and is therefore responsible for the overall performance and functioning of the municipal government.

In contrast, other roles such as the City Manager or Chief Administrator, while they may have significant administrative responsibilities, often operate in a capacity where they serve at the pleasure of the mayor or operate under the mayor's direction, depending on the specific governance model in place. The Council President primarily has legislative responsibilities and does not typically have the executive authority to supervise departments. Consequently, the mayor stands as the central figure in managing and supervising municipal departments in this government structure.