INNOVATION IN MUNICIPAL PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: THE CITY MANAGER MODEL AS A MODERNIZATION STRATEGY

Abstract

This article analyzes the implementation of the City Manager model as a modernization strategy in municipal public administration, particularly in the case of San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León. It argues that this model, inspired by professionalized management, offers a viable alternative to the structural limitations of local governments in Mexico, such as inefficiency, the politicization of management, and a lack of continuity in public policies. Through a documentary approach, the benefits of the City Manager model are identified in terms of administrative efficiency, transparency, accountability, and the professionalization of public service. However, significant challenges are also acknowledged, such as institutional resistance, conflict with elected officials, and the need for greater citizen participation. The study concludes that the City Manager model can significantly contribute to the transformation of municipal management, provided it is adapted to the local context and accompanied by structural reforms that guarantee its legitimacy and sustainability.