Commission government is a system in which a limited number of individuals possess the authority to establish laws and make decisions for a city or town. It resembles a compact team responsible for creating regulations that must be adhered to by the rest of the population.
Commission government is a form of municipal government in which a small group of individuals possess the legislative authority. For instance, in a city with commission government, a group of five individuals may be responsible for making all decisions for the city. These individuals are typically chosen or elected by the city’s residents. This type of government differs from a traditional city council, where numerous members share the legislative power. In commission government, power is concentrated in the hands of a select few. While commission government can facilitate prompt decision-making and policy implementation, it may also result in a lack of representation and accountability for the city’s citizens.
A commission government is a form of local government where a group of elected officials, known as commissioners, are responsible for both legislative and executive functions.
Commissioners are typically elected by the voters in the municipality or county where the commission government is established.
Advantages of a commission government include more efficient decision-making, greater accountability, and a more streamlined government structure.
Disadvantages of a commission government include a lack of representation for minority groups, potential for corruption, and limited public participation in decision-making.
Decisions in a commission government are typically made by a majority vote of the commissioners.
Yes, commissioners can be removed from office through a recall election or by impeachment.
In some commission governments, the mayor is one of the commissioners and has the same voting power as the other commissioners. In others, the mayor is a separate elected official with limited powers.
Taxes and budgets are typically determined by the commissioners through a public budgeting process.
In some commission governments, citizens can propose legislation through a petition process. However, the commissioners ultimately have the power to approve or reject the proposed legislation.
Commission governments are relatively uncommon in the United States, with most local governments operating under a mayor-council or council-manager system.
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This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.
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