Published on May 13, 2026
During the May 12 City Council meeting, the City of Melbourne was recognized by the Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) for its 100th anniversary of having a council-manager form of government.
In the council-manager form of government, the City Council is the legislative body of the city, which sets policies and goals for the City of Melbourne, including the annual budget and tax rate. The Melbourne City Council appoints a city manager who serves as the chief administrative and executive officer of the city, and a city attorney who protects city’s legal interests and assets.
“At this 100th year anniversary, the City of Melbourne can be proud to be recognized as a champion of the council-manager form of government,” said Suzanne Sherman, Assistant City Manager of the City of Satellite Beach, who made the presentation to Council on behalf of FCCMA.
“You have a Council and staff that works together in a professional manner to make decisions and establish policies that are in the best interest of your stakeholders, and it is the symbiotic relationship between the City Council and the City Manager that is a testament to a professionally managed organization,” she said.
The council-manager form of city and county government was created to help separate administration from direct political influence and establish merit-based practices within local government. In Florida nearly 70% of all 411 cities, towns and villages operate under the council-manager form of government.