What is the difference between the mayor-council, commissioner, and manager forms of government?
Mayor-Council: The mayor-council plan is distinguishable by the clear separation of powers between the mayor (executive) and the council (legislative). The city council may enact ordinances, levy taxes, adopt a budget, and set compensation, in addition to other legislative duties. The mayor’s principle function as chief executive and administrative officer of the city is to oversee the management of the city’s daily affairs (See KRS 83A.130). He or she serves no legislative function and may only vote in order to break a tie. Commission Plan: The Commission Plan has a mayor and 4 elected city commissioners who all share legislative, executive, and administrative authority. Thus, the Commission Plan has no separation of powers like that of the Mayor-Council Plan, and the mayor acts as a voting member of the commission. Although the ultimate authority is vested in the city commission as a body, KRS 83A.140(6) requires that administrative functions of the city be separated into departments
