States, cities & tribes
mayor
A city's chief elected officer. In a strong-mayor city they run the administration; in a council-manager city the role is largely ceremonial and legislative.
In full
Under a strong-mayor charter the mayor prepares the budget, appoints department heads, and may veto council actions. Under a council-manager charter a professional manager hired by the council runs daily operations while the mayor presides over council. Knowing which form a city uses tells you who to hold responsible for what.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.