Form of Government
The City of St. Charles operates under a council-manager form of government. This system is used in the majority of American cities with populations over 12,000. The council-manager form of government 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 elected city council is responsible for making policy, passing ordinances, voting appropriations, and having overall supervisory authority in the city government. The mayor performs ceremonial duties and acts as a member and presiding officer of the council. A city manager or administrator is hired to be responsible for supervising government operations and implementing the policies adopted by the council. In council-manager government, council members are the leaders and policy makers elected to represent various segments of the community and to concentrate on policy issues that are responsive to citizens' needs and wishes. The manager is appointed by council to carry out policy and ensure that the entire community is being served.
City Administrator
The position of City Administrator for the City of St. Charles was first created in 1997. The City Administrator is chosen on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications, with special reference to actual experience in, and knowledge of, accepted practices as established by the Mayor and City Council. The City Administrator is the chief administrative officer of the city and must reside within the city limits within 12 months of appointment. He or she is responsible to the Mayor and city council for the proper administration of the affairs of the city with the following powers/responsibilities:
- To enforce the ordinances of the city.
- Supervise and coordinate the work of all departments of the city.
- Recommend appointment, discipline and remove staff officers.
- Supervise and assist the appointed staff officers of the city.
- Supervise and assist staff officers in the performance of their respective duties.
- Attend all meetings of the city council. The City Administrator can take part in the discussion of all matters coming before the city council and make recommendations on matters under his or her purview, but he or she has no right to vote.
- Investigate all complaints in relation to matters concerning the administration, operation and activities of the government of the city and services maintained by the public utilities in the city and see that all franchises, permits and privileges granted by the city are faithfully observed.
- Provide administrative support to all city boards and commissions and make recommendations to the city council and boards and commissions relating to matters of public health, safety or welfare, economic development or general public improvements.
- Recommend to the Mayor and city council the adoption of such measures as he or she may deem necessary or expedient for the health, safety or welfare of the community and for the improvement of administrative services.
- Oversee the purchase of all materials, supplies, equipment and services for which funds are provided in the budget according to the directives and mandates of State law and city ordinances.
- Oversee the determination of the salaries, wages, and hours and conditions of employment of all employees, subject to the approval of Mayor and city council.
- Hire, suspend, or remove all employees of the city, except those appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the city council and except those positions covered by state law, or by agreement such as collective bargaining agreements.
- Oversee the maintenance of current inventory of all real and personal property of the city and the location of such property.
- Prepare a budget report as required by the Illinois Compiled Statutes indicating the funds necessary to defray the estimated expenses of the city for the fiscal year.
- Act as business manager for the city under the direction of the Mayor and city council and in cooperation with the Budget Officer, Director of Finance, City Collector, City Treasurer, and City Clerk.
- Represent the city in any community or intergovernmental functions as may be directed by the Mayor.
- Perform other duties as may be required by resolution, ordinance or direction of the Mayor and/or city council.
The City Administrator’s Office operates from the City Hall facility located at 2 E. Main Street. The department consists of a combination of seven full and part-time employees who provide general administrative assistance to city departments and the community. In addition to oversight of all city departments and programs, services provided include:
- Staffing the City Hall switchboard,
- Publishing city newsletters and documents,
- Coordinating City Council and Committee meetings, and
- Conducting community and employee surveys.
