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  1. Home

Form of Government

Form of government refers to the legal structure under which municipalities and counties in the United States organize, e.g., the council-manager vs. the mayor-council form of government. The topic also refers to governance issues and how a local government operates.

Submit a Document
Displaying 1 - 9 of 263 results
Member News
giving Tuesday graphic v1
Consider the Future of the Profession this Giving Tuesday
November 20, 2025

During this season of giving, consider the Fund!

Member News
Council-Manager recognition ceremony.
Independence, Iowa, Receives Council-Manager Recognition
November 20, 2025

ICMA Executive Board approves request for council-manager recognition for Independence, Iowa.

Article
vote button resized
From the Ballot Box November 2025 and New Form of Government Video
November 7, 2025

Election results show a need for greater public education and awareness about accountable government.

Blog Post
London
Could You Do for U.K. Local Government What Ted Lasso Did for U.K. Soccer?
Alanna Coombes, PhD, UNC Chapel Hill
Oct 07, 2025

A comparison of U.S. and U.K. local governments.

Podcast
Why Council-Manager Government Matters Now More Than Ever
October 1, 2025

How a team effort led to success advocating for council-manager government in Illinois and ICMA's ongoing support for the profession and form of government.

Other Document
Recognition Application Process
ICMA Form of Government Recognition Process

This document details process and timeline for obtaining ICMA Recognition for a local government chief appointed position.

Other Document
Recognition Application
ICMA Recognition Application

Instructions and form used to submit application for a community to obtain ICMA recognition.

Article
vote button resized
From the Ballot Box: July 2025
August 18, 2025

Voters in Blythewood, South Carolina, adopt council-manager government.

PM Magazine
Image of city administrators and deputies
Behind the Scenes: Portland’s City Government Transformation
July 29, 2025

Voters in Portland, Oregon, approved major changes to their city government, establishing geographic districts, ranked-choice voting, and a centralized organizational structure.

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