About the Department
Duties & Powers
City Council
In Mt. Morris, the city council is the elected governing body responsible for policy, law, and overall governance. It has the authority to:
- Act as the legislative authority and make city policies.
- Enact ordinances, resolutions, and local laws that govern the city.
- Approve the city budget and financial appropriations.
- Set tax levies and fees within legal limits.
- Hire and remove the City Manager (chief administrative officer).
- Appoint members to advisory boards, commissions, and committees.
- Provide legislative oversight of city operations.
- The council does not administer day-to-day operations — that is the City Manager’s role.
City Manager
Under the council–manager form, the appointed City Manager is the professional administrator responsible for the daily operations of city government and implements council policy. The City Manager reports directly to the council.
- Chief administrative officer of the city — oversees all administrative affairs.
- Ensures enforcement of laws, ordinances, and council policies within the city government.
- Directs and supervises all city departments, offices, and operations, except where the charter specifies otherwise.
- Prepares and submits the annual budget and capital program to the council.
- Administers the budget adopted by the council.
- Appoints, supervises, disciplines, and removes most city employees (department heads and other staff), unless limited by charter or council action.
- Attends all council meetings and participates in discussion, but has no vote.
- Keeps the council advised of the city’s financial condition and needs, and makes policy recommendations.
- May establish special advisory committees, with council approval, to assist with specific projects.
Mayor
- The Mayor is a member of the city council and typically presides over council meetings.
- The Mayor acts as the ceremonial head of the city and often represents the city in official functions.
- The Mayor does not typically hold executive administrative powers beyond what the charter specifically grants.
- Day-to-day administration is handled by the City Manager.
How This Is Rooted in Michigan Law
- Mt. Morris’s government operates under the Michigan Home Rule City Act, which allows cities to adopt home-rule charters defining powers and duties for the council, city manager, mayor, and other officials.
- The city charter provides the specific legal framework for how appointments, removals, budgets, personnel, and administrative duties are carried out — basing authority on both the charter and state law.
