The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and is the City's chief administrative officer. The Manager is responsible for implementing city policy as determined by the City Council, providing day-to-day operations and leadership for the various City departments, and representing the City to the community and other agencies and groups.

The City Manager's office accepts and forwards messages for the Mayor of Dowagiac who is elected to the part-time position by the majority of registered voters of Dowagiac.

Areas of Responsibility Include:

General Administration
The City Manager supervises department heads and City Manager Department staff, and develops and administers employment policies according to statute and contract regulations.

Personnel / Labor Relations
The City Manager evaluates department heads and City Manager staff, and provides oversight of personnel issues including employee development and contract relations and negotiations.

City Council Relations
The City Manager keeps the City Council accurately informed on issues. The City Manager researches and prepares agenda items for the City Council meetings and attends all meetings of the City Council.

Community Relations
The City Manager interacts with the residential, business and educational communities, and other groups, to exchange information regarding their needs, the City's needs, and available resources to meet those needs.

Governmental/Agency Relations
The City Manager's Office works interdepartmentally and in consortium with other municipalities and agencies to develop and administer City policy/programs.

Budget Administration
The City Manager generates and prepares the City's annual budget for the City Council. The City Manager assesses the City's financial status and confers with the community, elected officials and employees regarding issues.