Getting to Know Your Florida Cities
Chapter 4: What are key city positions?
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This program brought to you by the Florida League of Cities is intended to familiarize those new to and interested in municipal government. The League is the official organization of municipal governments in Florida, designed and established to meet and serve the needs of Florida’s municipal officials.
Note: DVD visuals are indicated in olive green. The remaining text indicates DVD audio.
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Visual: Images of current city mayors.
Key positions in your city may include the mayor and his or her elected city council or commission. The mayor is an elected city official who may, depending on the charter, have specific duties and responsibilities. The city council or commission is the governing body of a city. The terms council and commission are the same and vary from city to city.
Visual: Other City Positions
Other city positions include:
The city clerk keeps the official city seal, maintains city council minutes and important records, and often coordinates council work plans.
The city’s attorney represents the city in all legal matters and gives legal advice concerning city affairs.
The city manager is an appointed official in cities with this form of government. Hired to administer city business and to implement all actions of the council. The city manager oversees all city services.
Advisory boards and committees are comprised of both citizens and city officials set up by the city council to deal with particular issues or problems.
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Visual: What Can I Do?
Each person has the right to voice their concern and let a government know what they want done in their community. Here are some ways to accomplish this.
You can vote, whether it’s for an elected official or an issue that will or will not affect you.
You can attend a public hearing.
You can write letters and call your city officials about an issue that affects you.
You can serve on a city advisory committee...or run for an elected office.
Visual: Did you know?
The Village of Lazy Lake is the smallest municipality in Broward County. There is only one road and no city hall, police department or fire department. There are no office buildings, schools, churches, restaurants or gas stations. The City of Wilton Manors surrounds the village on all sides and there is no more room to build houses. The village consists of 13 homes on 13 acres, the maximum allowed by the city charter.
The City of Belle Glade has been rated as having the most productive farmland in the U.S. and is also the largest sugar-producing area in the states. The city is home to Lake Okeechobee, the second largest freshwater lake in the U.S.
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