Government Structure

Current Structure: City Manager-City Council

The City currently operates under the "City Manager-City Council" form of government.

The City Manager is appointed by the City Commission to serve as the administrative head of the municipal government and to provide recommendations to the City Commission on policy issues. He or she is responsible for the daily activities of the municipal government and is charged with carrying out the policies established by the City Commission. 

The City Commission is elected by the residents of Miramar, and is comprised of four members and the Mayor.  The City Commission sets the policies of the City through the budgetary process and enactment of ordinances and resolutions.

The Mayor serves as the president of the City Commission and presides over all meetings of the Commission. The Mayor is the recognized head of City government for all ceremonial purposes, for service of process, and is the City official designated to represent the City in all dealings with other governmental entities.  The Mayor also executes, with approval of the City Commission as provided by law, all ordinances and resolutions.

The City Commission annually selects from among its members a Vice-Mayor for a term of one year.  In the event of an absence or disability of the Mayor, the Vice-Mayor signs City legislation, chairs City Commission meetings, and undertakes all other duties of the Mayor. 

Prior Structure: Strong Mayor - City Council Government

Until March 13, 1991, the City was governed by a "Strong Mayor-City Council" form of government. Under this form of government, the Mayor served as the Chief Administrative Officer, supervising the day-to-day activities, and was responsible for carrying out the policies established by the City Commission. All department heads were appointed by, and reported directly to the Mayor. The City Commission, through the budgetary process and enactment of legislation, functioned as the policy-making body.

Transition to Current Structure

In 1989, by unanimous accord of the Mayor and City Commission, the groundwork for "City Manager-City Council" form of government was begun. After many months of study and preparation, the question was put to a referendum and approved by the electorate of Miramar on March 14, 1990.

The transition in the form of government took place at 12:01 a.m. on March 13, 1991, the day following the municipal election.