Form of government

More information

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Since 1925, the City of Kansas City, Mo., has had a council-manager form of government. The city manager is the City's chief administrator and is responsible for seeing the government is run efficiently and economically. The city manager serves and advises the mayor and City Council, appoints most department directors and prepares a proposed annual budget for council consideration.

The manager also enforces municipal laws and ordinances and coordinates city operations and programs. The manager does not appoint the police chief or the parks and recreation director, who are appointed instead by the boards they serve.

The City Council has 13 councilmembers, including the mayor. All are elected to four-year terms at the same time and may serve two consecutive terms. Kansas City, Mo., is divided into six council districts. The mayor and six City Councilmembers are elected at-large, with one at-large councilmember representing each district. Six council members are elected only by voters living in their districts.

Departments

A brief description of each City department follows. You will have the opportunity to work with each of these departments during your tenure as a Cookingham fellow. More information on City departments.

• Aviation
• City Auditor's Office
• City Clerk's Office
• City Manager's Office
• City Planning and Development
• Convention and Entertainment Facilities
• Finance Department
• Fire Department
• General Services
• Health Department
• Human Resources Department
• Information Technology
• Law Department
• Municipal Court
• Neighborhood and Community Services Department
• Parks and Recreation Department
• Public Works
• Water Services Department