Try Again

We’ve already noted previously that trust is the basis of Council/Manager interactions. The conflict and strain that stems from a blurring of policy and administrative responsibilities between city managers and city councils, concerning mission formulation, policy, administrative policy and managerial operations takes a toll on the relationship. The classic policy-administration dichotomy model suggests a strict separation of responsibilities when in reality mixed responsibility models are better aligned with practice. The added element of policing ethical and moral actions can make any relationship impossible.

Literature suggests that in order to build trust initially, managers should promptly respond to council requests, share information to help elected officials fulfill their responsibilities, explain reasons for city actions, give credit to elected officials (who require positive images of accomplishment for re-election), and respond to citizen requests. But once trust is lost because of ethics enforcement on the Council, can it ever be regained?