What is a city manager in Texas?

What is a city manager in Texas?
What is a city manager in Texas?
What is a city manager in Texas?
What is a city manager in Texas?
What is a city manager in Texas?
What is a city manager in Texas?
What is a city manager in Texas?

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Day-to-day operations in the city are the responsibility of the city manager, who is appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The city manager prepares recommendations and implements policy as determined by the Mayor and City Council.  

The city manager and staff implement the goals of the elected Mayor and City Council as articulated in the Strategic Plan.

Council-Manager Form of Government

The council-manager form is the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council or other governing body, with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The form establishes a representative system.

Mission Statement

The mission of the City Manager’s Office is to build and maintain, through sound management principles and community participation, an effective city government organization. The City Manager’s Office does this by:

  • Ensuring the effective delivery of services to all citizens and businesses
  • Implementing the policies and programs approved by the City Council in an efficient and effective manner
  • Providing the management direction and support for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all city programs

Council-Manager Form of Government

In the council-manager form of government, the council is the governing body of the city, elected by the public, and the manager is hired by the council to carry out the policies it establishes. The council usually consists of 5 to 9 members including a mayor (or council president) who is either selected by the council or elected by the people as defined in the city charter. The size of the council is generally smaller than that of a mayor-council municipality and council elections are usually nonpartisan. 

The council provides legislative direction while the manager is responsible for day-to-day administrative operations of the city based on the council’s recommendations. The mayor and council, as a collegial body, are responsible for setting policy, approving the budget, and determining the tax rate. 

Manager Responsibilities

The manager serves as the council’s chief advisor. Managers also serve at the pleasure of the council and are responsible for preparing the budget, directing day-to-day operations, and oversees personnel. 

Typically, the mayor is recognized as the political head of the municipality but is a member of the legislative body and does not have the power to veto legislative actions. 

Source: International City / County Management Association

About the City Manager

The city manager is the chief administrative and executive officer of the city and is responsible to the City Council for the proper administration of all city affairs. He is responsible for making recommendations concerning policies and programs to the City Council. Implementing policy decisions made by the council. Preparing and submitting to the council an annual budget and responsible for its administration after adoption. Advising the council of the financial condition and future needs of the city.

Role and Responsibilities

The city manager's role is to implement the council's vision. Additionally, before the council formulates the vision it is important for the city manager to put forth a variety of options representing the needs of the community, so that the council can discuss, agree upon, and provide direction on their vision. Once the vision and direction has been established, the mayor and council continue to serve the community by periodically tweaking the vision, while the manager works with the city's employees to carry out the council's plans.

The City Manager is entrusted with the spending the public's money as wisely as possible and to use it to work for the greater good of the community.


Mission Statement
The mission of the City Manager’s Office is to build and maintain, through sound management principles and community participation, an effective city government organization. The City Manager’s Office does this by:

  • Ensuring the effective delivery of services to all citizens and businesses

  • Implementing the policies and programs approved by the City Council in an efficient and effective manner

  • Providing the management direction and support for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all city programs

Council-Manager Form of Government
In the council-manager form of government, the council is the governing body of the city, elected by the public, and the manager is hired by the council to carry out the policies it establishes. The council usually consists of 5 to 9 members including a mayor (or council president) who is either selected by the council or elected by the people as defined in the City Charter.  

The council provides legislative direction while the manager is responsible for day-to-day administrative operations of the city based on the council’s recommendations. The mayor and council, as a collegial body, are responsible for setting policy, approving the budget, and determining the tax rate.

Manager Responsibilities
Under the City Charter, the City Council appoints a City Manager who serves as the Chief Administrative and Executive Officer of the City and is responsible to the Council for the efficient administration of all the affairs of the City under his jurisdiction.

The City Manager directs and supervises the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the City through the appointment of qualified staff who serve the City Management team. The City Manager makes recommendations to the Council concerning programs and policies and developing methods to ensure the effective and efficient operation of city services. With the assistance of the Management team, the City Manager prepares and administers an annual budget and capital program as adopted by the City Council. The City Manager sees that all state laws and City ordinances are effectively enforced and coordinates and administers the implementation of policies, procedures and ordinances that will provide for the sustainable, managed growth of the city.

List of Andrews City Managers

06/1956 - 03/1958 J.L. Horner
10/1959 - 08/1964 Marshall Pharr
09/1964 - 02/1967 Herb Sitz
03/1967 - 01/2001 Lynn Wilson
04/2001 - 06/2018 Glen Hackler
07/2018 - Present Steve Eggleston

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What is the function of a city manager?

A city manager serves as the executive who leads those efforts and makes sure it all gets done. City managers help bridge the gap between politics and administration. Typically, they're responsible for executing the city council's laws, communicate other decisions, and manage city staff.

What is the difference between a city manager and city administrator in Texas?

A city administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a city, while a city manager oversees the city's departments and employees. Both positions work to ensure that the city is running smoothly and efficiently.

Do all cities in Texas have a city manager?

Texas's most populous cities (Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, El Paso, Fort Worth, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Plano, and Laredo) all have a Council-Manager form of government, except for Houston.

What is the difference between a mayor and a town manager?

1. Mayors are elected, but city managers are not. Mayors are typically elected to either a two-year term or a four-year term. City managers tend to be long-term city employees who are hired or fired by a legislative body.