More cities pick managers and administrators over mayors
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Hilliard will be hunting for a new city manager soon, a job becoming more common across the country in lieu of having an elected mayor in charge.
Why it matters: Your city's governance style shapes how decisions are made, how much influence local voters have and who is ultimately accountable when things go right or wrong.
State of play: Hilliard had a full-time mayor for decades until residents voted for a city manager form of government in 2018.
- The switch happened in 2020, with Michelle Crandall first assuming the title. She'll resign July 25 for another job and an interim will step in for now.
Catch up quick: Hilliard is not alone, as Ohio's "home rule" lets cities pick the model that works for them.
- Historically, most U.S. cities were first governed by an elected "strong mayor" with significant political and administrative power.
- But in the early 1900s, nonpartisan city managers with professional training started to emerge.
Under that system, elected council members set policy and hire a full-time manager to handle day-to-day operations — much like a school board hires a superintendent.
- Often, a council leader is "mayor" as an honorary title.
- Today managers are most common nationwide, though strong mayors are more popular in very large and very small cities.
Fun fact: Dayton was the first Ohio city to adopt a manager in 1913, and Westerville was the first village, in 1916.
Zoom in: Today, 31% of Franklin County cities have a "strong mayor" and 44% have a manager.
- The remaining communities are hybrids, where a strong mayor directly appoints an administrator to carry out daily operations as a full-time job.
- Canal Winchester adopted that model in 2023, citing its growth.
Between the lines: Proponents of having a city manager want a more professionally trained approach, while strong mayor supporters value direct accountability to voters, Ohio Municipal League spokesperson Bevan Schneck tells Axios.
Follow the money: Whoever is in charge of administrative duties nets a six-figure salary, regardless of the title.
What we're watching: Grove City, which has a strong mayor and an appointed administrator, might change that soon by putting a city charter amendment to a vote.
- Voters there have elected Mayor Richard "Ike" Stage for nearly 26 of the last 37 years. Stage was also administrator for three years.