In the Council-City Manager System, who establishes policy?

In the Council-City Manager System, the city council is responsible for establishing policy. This structure operates under a form of local government where the city council is elected by the citizens and holds the legislative authority. This council creates policies that guide the city's operations, set budgets, and determine the priorities for local governance.

The city manager, who is appointed by the city council, is responsible for the administration and day-to-day operations of the city, implementing the policies and decisions made by the council. While the mayor may have influential roles within the council and may perform ceremonial duties or contribute to discussions, the actual policy creation and legislative authority rest with the city council. Lastly, while citizens can influence policies through referendums, the formal establishment of policy within this system is a function of the city council rather than direct citizen action. This delineates the clear roles within the governance framework, emphasizing the city council's legislative position.