• Flexibility—it can adapt to local needs and demands.

• Clearly Defined Roles—there is clear distinction between the role of manager, the role of the mayor, and Council.

• A Roadmap for Success—this form is most likely to succeed. Managers can focus on services, policies, and performance management. They can align services with the values, and goals set by the community and Council.

 This Council-Manager form of government brochure from the International City/County Management Association gives more information about the Council-Manager Form of Government. 

Today, more than 105 million people in the U.S. live in communities that operate under the council-manager form of government. Forty-eight percent of the more than 7,300 U.S. municipalities with populations of 2,500 or more use the form, as do nearly 62 percent of municipalities with populations greater than 100,000. More than 800 counties also employ a similar system.

It was created to combat corruption and unethical activity. It promotes management that is valid and transparent. It promotes management that is active, and liable. It recognizes the role of elected officials as policy makers. They focus on mapping out a vision and establishing policies that govern it. The form also shows the need for a person who is devoted to the delivery of services to residents.

The council-manager form of government is the most popular where there are populations of 2,500 or more. Residents elect a governing body to adopt laws and set policy. The governing body hires a manager. The manager carries out policies and manages operations.  To learn more about Nashville's Town Manager, visit the Administration page.

To make public comments during a Town Council meeting, a person must register on a sign-up sheet located on the Town Clerk's desk at the front of Town Council Chambers.  Sign-up sheets will be available twenty (20) minutes before the start of the meeting.  No one will be allowed to have their name placed on the list by telephone or email request to town staff. 

Speakers will be acknowledged by the Mayor in the order in which their names appear on the sign-up sheet.  Speakers will address the Council from the podium at the front of the room and will begin their remarks by stating their name and address.  Each speaker will have three (3) minutes to make their remarks.  It is recommended that groups or delegations select their spokesperson in advance of the meeting. 

Speakers may talk about agenda or non-agenda items, as long as the item is not on the agenda for public hearing.  Please refer to the link above for rules on the public comment period. 

Public Hearings are held as required by General Statues and per Town Council request.  

For those wishing to speak during a Public Hearing, upon arrival at the Nashville Town Council Chambers, please be seated in the audience.  There is no need to sign-in to speak during a Public Hearing.

For all Public Hearings, the Mayor will call on a staff member to present details about the case and then allow the applicant, if applicable, to present their case.  The Mayor will then open the floor to those wishing to speak for or against the issue.  Speakers may come to the podium one at a time.

Thank you for following these rules:

• If you have handouts to share, please bring 11 copies and give them to the Town Clerk as you approach the podium.  The Town Clerk will distribute the copies for you.
• You may adjust the microphone on the podium as necessary to ensure the appropriate height for you.
• Please speak clearly into the microphone by stating your name and address first.
• Please limit comments to three minutes or less to allow all who desire to speak on the issue the ability to do so.
• If you have a group who wishes to speak, please designate a spokesperson for the group.  This is the most effective way to relay the points of groups to avoid repetition.
• Please direct your comments to the full Town Council and not to an individual Council Member.
• Public Hearings are your opportunity to make comments regarding the issue at hand and not for the discussion of other issues.
• The Town Council will listen and take your comments into consideration.  No Town Council decisions are made on the issue  during  the Public Hearing.

Public Hearings are often required by law.  They allow the decision-making body the chance to consider public opinions. before decisions are made on issues that will impact citizens.  Below are a few examples of when we will hold a public hearing:

• The Town's Budget
• The Town's Comprehensive Plan
• Rezoning Requests
• Owner-initiated Annexation Requests
• Amendments to Land Development Ordinances
• Special Event Permits

Notices will be posted to the website, in  Town Hall and in Town Council Chambers prior to the meeting.  Notices will also be published in The Nashville Graphic.