What distinguishes the municipal manager form of local government established by the 1923 law?

The distinction of the municipal manager form of local government established by the 1923 law in New Jersey lies in the governance structure where an elected body is responsible for appointing a municipal manager. This framework promotes a professional approach to local governance, whereby the municipal manager, who is typically a trained professional, is tasked with executing the policies set by an elected governing body. This system allows for a clearer separation of powers where the elected council or committee focuses on policy-making while the municipal manager handles day-to-day operations.

In this form of government, the municipal manager functions similarly to a chief executive officer, implementing the council’s policies, managing city departments, and overseeing the administration without being directly elected by the public. This provides a balance between accountability to the electorate and the efficiency of a professionally managed administration.

Other options do not accurately capture the key element of this governance model. Legislative powers are not held by the governor in this context, as local government typically operates independently within the framework established by state law. Moreover, while the mayor may have a role in this setup, it is not exclusive, and it is not the case that only the mayor is elected; rather, the entire governing body, typically a council, is elected. Lastly, while some members of