What is a city manager and how does Myrtle Beach’s impact the city?

Five mayoral candidates and 10 city council candidates are on the ballot this November in Myrtle Beach. Each winning candidate will gain a vote in the Myrtle Beach City Council, but much of the city government’s critical functions fall under a third power: the city manager.

For nearly 50 years, Myrtle Beach has used a council-manager form of government where the city manager — not the mayor — is responsible for administrative matters.

While voters elect the council and the mayor to serve legislative roles in four-year terms, the city manager is hired by the council for an indefinite term to act as the sole administrative power.

In the current election cycle, multiple mayoral hopefuls criticized councilmembers’ working relationship with the city manager. But what does the manager actually do?

The city manager acts as Myrtle Beach’s CEO, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city staff and administration.

Some of those operations are financial. According to the Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances, the manager is responsible for preparing the annual budget, submitting it to the council, and administering the budget after the council adopts it.

Other responsibilities are administrative, like appointing, removing and setting the salaries for municipal officers and employees.

Like the name suggests, in a council-manager system the city manager works closely with the city council.

At the end of each fiscal year, the city manager must complete an annual report on Myrtle Beach’s finances and administrative activities. The manager also makes recommendations and advises the council on Myrtle Beach’s financial condition and future needs.

In emergency circumstances, the city manager can also award contracts and make purchases to repair damage, but not without the council’s consent.