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City Government

The City adopted the council-manager form of government in 1913, being the first in practice in the State of North Carolina; and in 1998, named its first female City Manager, Sally Sandy.

The City Council-City Manager form of local government combines the political leadership of elected officials with the professional experience of an appointed local government administrator.

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Under the Council-City Manager form, power is concentrated in the elected council, which hires a professional administrator – the City Manager - to implement the Council's policies. This City Manager serves at the pleasure of the City Council and has responsibility for preparing the budget, directing day-to-day operations and serving as the council's chief policy advisor.

Policy formation and legislative authority are vested in the City Council which consists of a Mayor who is elected to a four-year term and four council members who are elected at large to four-year staggered terms.

The City Council meets once a month to conduct City business, enact policies and ordinances, appoint committees, and give direction to the City Manager and staff. The Council hires the City Manager and City Attorney.

The Morganton City Council holds its regular meeting on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 305 East Union Street, Suite A100.

Meetings are open to the public and are interpreted for the hearing impaired. City Council meetings are televised live on Channel 2 on CoMPAS Cable TV and rerun throughout the following two weeks. The agenda for each monthly meeting is posted on this web site shortly before the meeting date.