CMO Municipal Government Structure & Functions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which form of municipal government features a directly elected mayor who serves as both head of government and chief executive?
- Council-manager form
- Strong-mayor form (Correct answer)
- Commission form
- Weak-mayor form
Correct answer: Strong-mayor form
In the strong-mayor form, the elected mayor holds executive authority including appointment and removal of department heads without council approval.
Question 2: A municipal ordinance differs from a municipal resolution primarily in that an ordinance:
- Is temporary and expires automatically
- Is a permanent law that binds the public (Correct answer)
- Requires state legislative approval
- Is advisory only and not enforceable
Correct answer: Is a permanent law that binds the public
Ordinances are permanent legislative enactments that carry the force of law, while resolutions typically express intent or policy without creating binding legal obligations.
Question 3: In a council-manager government, who is typically responsible for preparing and submitting the annual budget to the council?
- The finance director
- The city attorney
- The city manager (Correct answer)
- The mayor
Correct answer: The city manager
The city manager, as chief administrative officer, prepares the budget and presents it to the council, which then holds authority to adopt or modify it.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a municipal charter?
- To establish tax rates for the fiscal year
- To define the structure, powers, and limitations of local government (Correct answer)
- To set employee compensation schedules
- To outline the city's comprehensive land use plan
Correct answer: To define the structure, powers, and limitations of local government
A municipal charter serves as the foundational governing document that establishes organizational structure, grants powers, and defines limitations of the local government.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes a 'home rule' municipality?
- A city governed entirely by county officials
- A municipality that derives authority directly from the state constitution or statute without needing special legislative approval (Correct answer)
- A township that has incorporated as a village
- A municipality that has opted out of state building codes
Correct answer: A municipality that derives authority directly from the state constitution or statute without needing special legislative approval
Home rule grants municipalities broad authority to legislate on local matters without requiring specific state enabling legislation for each action.
Question 6: At-large council elections differ from district (ward) elections in that at-large elections:
- Require candidates to own property in the city
- Allow all voters citywide to vote for each council seat (Correct answer)
- Limit voting to residents of a specific geographic area
- Are held in odd-numbered years only
Correct answer: Allow all voters citywide to vote for each council seat
In at-large elections, every registered voter in the city may vote for candidates for each council seat, rather than only voters in a specific district.
Question 7: Which municipal body typically has authority to approve or reject the city attorney's interpretation of charter provisions?
- The city manager
- The finance committee
- The governing body (city council) (Correct answer)
- The human resources department
Correct answer: The governing body (city council)
The city council, as the governing body, has final authority over policy interpretations and may accept, reject, or request revision of legal opinions from the city attorney.
CMO Municipal Government Structure & Functions 2
Which form of municipal government features a directly elected mayor who serves as both head of government and chief executive?