Which of the following is a responsibility of a civic mayor?

• A. Promote metropolitan policy
• B. Impartially chair council meetings
• C. Draft national legislation
• D. Lead the regional police force

Answer: (B)

A mayor’s responsibility includes chairing council meetings impartially. In municipal governance, the mayor serves as the presiding officer of the council, guiding discussions, enforcing rules, and ensuring all members can participate fairly. Staying neutral during meetings helps maintain trust in the process and prevents personal preferences from shaping decisions as they’re being discussed. While a mayor may influence policy or work with other agencies, the formal duty described here—the impartial conduct of meetings—fits best with the mayor’s role. The other options describe broader leadership or specialized positions (advocating metropolitan policy, drafting national laws, or leading a police force) that aren’t the mayor’s formal duty during council proceedings.