10 FUNCTIONS OF A MAYOR TO GOVERN EFFECTIVELY - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The functions of a mayor vary significantly according to the legislation of the city that chooses him. In some cities, the mayor's main functions are ceremonial, while in others, he is responsible for the administrative, legal, and operational activities of the municipality.

The word mayor is used to refer to the spokesperson for the citizen council in charge of making decisions on matters of vital importance to the municipality. The mayor is usually identified as the representative of a city at ceremonies and social events. He is also an important community leader elected through popular vote.

There are some functions of the mayor that can be generalized regardless of the city where he is elected, since, anywhere in the world, a mayor always exercises the role of maximum municipal authority, which is why this political position is quite coveted.

A mayor is not only in charge of attending to all municipal procedures and affairs, he also has the obligation to preside over and attend council meetings and to exercise his legislative power when necessary for the benefit of the citizenry.

The role of a mayor goes beyond administrative tasks. A mayor must be a leader who promotes good relations between municipalities and displays exemplary conduct at all times.

The 10 most important functions of a mayor

1- Preside over the council meetings

The way in which a mayor presides over council meetings can contribute significantly to the good management of his government. Meetings that address inclusive issues, and are based on a government model with high quality standards, make the mayor's work more profitable.

On the other hand, the mayor must be aware of the procedures that take place during council meetings according to current local laws. In such a way that no councilor imposes her will and all decisions are accepted by the majority of the council members. This includes controversial issues that may precede difficult decisions.

An effective exercise of the mayor's functions during the council sessions must ensure that councilors have the opportunity to be heard, being careful with the position they may take on the different issues discussed.

All this in order to avoid discrimination of points of view supported by the minority of members and potential inconveniences when making decisions.

2- Listen to all points of view

Among the functions performed by the mayor is to recommend legal actions to the city council that lead to decision-making that benefits the majority of citizens.

The mayor must respond to the requests and concerns of the council members in an equitable manner in order to contribute to the better performance of the councilors during his government.

The mayor must avoid taking sides during council meetings, always promoting the participation of all members of the council, good communication, consensus, mutual respect, listening, commitment and participation in decision-making.

A mayor who listens to all points of view, including those that come from minorities, will have a better chance of success in implementing his projects, as all members of the community and the council will feel that their points of view were heeded and respected.

2- Promote good relationships

A mayor is the most important political figure in a municipality. In other words, he has the power to influence most of the initiatives that take place during his government. One of these initiatives should be to maintain good relations with all the people who are related to your government.

Working for good relationships will prevent segmented opinions during the government of a mayor. Good relationships are built on cooperation and support between colleagues and administrative staff with the goal of achieving a common goal.

Understanding, good communication and understanding are key aspects for the management of good relationships to be possible.

The mayor has the function of establishing an exemplary code of conduct that can be replicated by the members of the council, the administrative staff, the different municipal government directives and even the citizens.

4- Show exemplary conduct

The figure of the mayor exerts considerable influence in the establishment of parameters of good governance, good behavior and ethics.

As the leader of the council, the mayor has the role of promoting good behavior and must give administrative management to all those acts that go outside the parameters of good behavior established within his government.

In some cities around the world, the mayor has the responsibility to participate in the resolution of disputes that may occur between council members.

In this sense, the functions of the mayor are relatively complex, since with his conduct he must always demonstrate impartiality and justice in accordance with natural laws. This impartiality must take place so the mayor is aware that not all councilors are in favor of his government.

5- Guide the council members

It is the role of the mayor to guide the council members and explain to them what is expected of their work as stipulated by local law. The mayor must ensure that each of the members of his government shows good conduct in accordance with the codes established within his government.

As the person in charge of guiding the council members, the mayor has the function of promoting good relations between them and setting a good example with his behavior.

One of the most important factors that affect the results during the mayor's administration is his leadership style, which must be consistent with his government model.

6- Enforce the laws of the city

Before assuming the position of mayor, he must be in accordance with local legislation, complying with and respecting all that it stipulates. In this sense, the mayor has the function of ensuring compliance with the law, using the support of all the official institutions that are in charge of this work, such as the police and the army.

Sometimes the people who put the most pressure to break the law are those who work directly to protect it. For this reason, the mayor, as the city leader, must establish formal and informal labor relations with the agencies in charge of promoting compliance with the law.

7- Work for the preservation of peace and order in the city

The mayor has the function of ensuring safety in the streets, supervising the work of those members of his government team in charge of promoting the safety and development of the city.

To fulfill this role, the mayor must also supervise the police and fire departments in order to establish preventive and disaster control measures.

A good mayor must always work for the creation and promotion of programs that improve the common welfare and health of his citizens.

8- Manage city operations

Among the functions of the mayor is to manage the budget of the city. This function involves deciding how the funds are going to be spent, what type of contracts are going to be carried out during his government for this year and the following fiscal year.

Being the main supervisor of the conduct of municipal government agents, the mayor must be aware of the financial operations that take place daily during his government.

All this with the aim of being able to plan in the long term the investments that will take place during the coming years.

9- Deliver an annual report of results

Usually, the government of a mayor takes place for a period of at least four years. During each of these years, the mayor has the responsibility of informing the public about the results of his administration.

These results must address vital issues for the development of the city, such as the unemployment rate, percentage of investment in education, health, public works, among others.

The mayor is a media character, and the annual report of his results is generally presented as a speech. However, it must be available so that any citizen can consult it in an extraordinary way.

10- Attend social events

Being a public figure, and the spokesperson for the citizens, the mayor has the duty to attend different social events that take place locally or regionally.

Within these ceremonial tasks, the mayor also has the duty to welcome dignitaries who are visiting the city and to be present at the opening galas of works built during his mandate.

References

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