Which form of local government is characterized by a council and a mayor?

The form of local government characterized by a council and a mayor is the Mayor-Council Form. This structure typically features a mayor who acts as the chief executive officer, alongside a council that serves as the legislative body. The mayor usually has significant powers, such as the ability to veto legislation or appoint members to various boards and commissions, depending on the specifics of the local charter.

In this form of government, the relationship between the mayor and the council can vary. In some jurisdictions, the mayor holds substantial executive powers (strong mayor), while in others, the council might retain more control over governmental functions (weak mayor). The Mayor-Council Form facilitates direct accountability to the electorate, as both the mayor and council members are elected officials. This setup can encourage active citizen participation in local governance.

Other forms of government, such as the Commission Form, Council-Manager Form, and General Law Form, operate under different frameworks and do not have the same delineation of roles between an elected mayor and a council. For instance, in the Council-Manager Form, the council typically appoints a manager to oversee day-to-day operations, which shifts the dynamics away from a strong mayoral role. Therefore, the key identifier of a government characterized by both a