Columbia Form of Government ordinance (Charter § 2)

The municipal government provided by this charter shall be known as the "council-manager government." Pursuant to the provisions of this charter and subject only to the limitations imposed by the state constitution and by this charter, all powers of the city shall be vested in an elective council, hereafter referred to as "the council," which shall enact local legislation, adopt budgets, determine policies, and appoint the city manager, who shall execute the laws and administer the government of the city.