Asheville City Council
The City of Asheville operates under a council-manager form of government, which is prescribed by its charter.
Under the council-manager system, Asheville City Council provides leadership by establishing the city's policies. They are the leaders and policy makers elected to represent the community and to concentrate on policy issues that are responsive to citizens’ needs.
Asheville City Council appoints a city manager to achieve the desired end set by the City Council. The manager oversees day-to-day city operations and executes Council established laws and policies. The city manager also ensures the entire community is being served. If the manager is not responsive to the governing body’s directions and guidance, the governing body has the authority to terminate the manager at any time. City Council also appoints the city attorney and the city clerk.
Not all council-manager governments are structured the same way. In fact, one of the most attractive features is that the council-manager form is adaptable to local conditions and preferences. For example, Asheville City Council members are elected at large while other some city councils are elected by district or by a combination of an at-large and by-district structure.
