Types

• City governments in America employ three different management styles to run the city. The mayor-council system shadows the structure of state and federal governments with an elected executive, the mayor, and an elected legislature, the council. The commission form of government combines the executive and legislative functions into one entity, an elected city commission made up of a group of individuals. Other cities use the council-manager form of government, where a publicly elected council handles the legislative duties, but hires a city manager to enforce the council's decisions. Most governments in the United States use one of these forms, or a combination of them.
  
  

City Officers

• The most common executive found in city government is the mayor, elected by the people through partisan elections. In some forms of city government, the mayor and council share power equally. Others in charge inside city government include the city attorney, responsible for defending the city and city officials against lawsuits. A city attorney can also act as chief prosecutor of the city, prosecuting violations of city laws & ordinances. The city assessor is responsible for finding all taxable property in the city and giving it value, while the city treasurer oversees the city's finances and revenues. The treasurer invests money and finds new avenues to increase the city's revenues. He also pays city bills and city employees. These members are all appointed by the mayor with approval by the council in some instances.
  
  

Services

• City government provides a wide variety of services for the citizens they serve. The local board of elections is responsible for mailing absentee ballots, putting names on ballots and setting up polling locations on Election Day. Local animal shelters help keep the city free of stray or unhealthy animals. The Department of Transportation handles local transportation issues such as bus routes and may issue permits to street vendors or yard sales, parades and block parties.
  
  The Department of Public Safety includes firefighters, police officers, emergency responders and the city attorney's office. City government officials are also responsible for local utilities. Water, electricity, and sewage are all services generally provided by city governments, and in some instances city governments oversee and operate recycling facilities.
  
  

Leisure

• It is the role of city government officials to provide recreational and leisure activities for its citizenry. In addition to bringing revenue to the city, leisure services help citizens find safe ways to relax and enjoy their city. Art centers promote local and cultural art of natives, while exposing the entire community to a culture of rich diversity. City governments can also oversee the funding and running of public libraries for all citizens. Departments of Parks and Recreation provide parks, sport fields, beaches, swimming pools, zoos and public gardens for use by citizens of the city. Many local recreation centers also provide city-sanctioned sporting events such as Little League, soccer and Pop Warner football.
  
  

Records

• Each city government also serves the unofficial role of city historian. The city clerk keeps and maintains records and makes them available to the public. Birth and death records are sometimes maintained by the city, as well as marriage licenses and divorce decrees. City government--or usually a municipal archivist--preserves important governmental records including city demographics, constitutions, laws, important events and historical landmarks within a city. The city clerk also records the minutes and motions of city government meetings.