What is a City Council?－zhuxiaohong的部落格

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A city council is a form of government which is used in many towns and cities around the world. The members of the council are elected by the citizens, and they work together to pass laws, make general policies, supervise city government, and appropriate funds for various needs. The work of a city council is usually supported by a number of specialized commissions which focus on specific issues like police, urban planning, and public works. Typically, the meetings of a city council are open to the public, and public input is welcomed.The exact organization of a city council varies, depending on where in the world it is. As a general rule, the members of the council are elected by various districts in the city. Each is responsible for representing the needs and desires of his or her district. City council members may be able to appoint members of other commissions, and they often vote amongst themselves to determine who will act as chair or speaker for the city council. In some cases, the mayor sits on the city council, adding input and running meetings. In other instances, the mayor is separate from the city council. He or she may be able to exercise veto power over the actions of the city council, or the mayor may hold a more ceremonial position. One member of the city council is also usually the mayor pro tem, the next in line in authority below the mayor. When the mayor is unavailable for any reason, the mayor pro tem takes over the position temporarily. Many cities have a council-manager government, in which most of the decisions about local government are made by the city council. This type of government limits the power of the mayor, although the mayor certainly contributes. In other cases, a mayor-council government is used, giving the mayor more authority and sometimes a veto power as well. Typically, the mayor will prepare the budget for a mayor-council government, although the city council may veto it. Requirements for serving on city council vary. Generally, candidates must be legal citizens of voting age. In some areas, age requirements are more restrictive. Candidates may engage in debates during their campaigns, and like politicians at the larger level, they usually propose changes which they will enact if elected. In small towns, city council elections can get quite fraught with tension at times, as the politics of smaller towns can get very tricky.