What was a weakness of the commission form of city government?

The commission form of city government often suffers from a lack of effective checks and balances, which is a critical weakness in its structure. In this system, a small group of elected officials typically oversees multiple departments, leading to a concentration of power. Because these officials are responsible for both legislative and executive functions, there is an increased risk of decisions being made without adequate oversight. Without independent checks on their authority, such as separate legislative bodies or oversight committees, it becomes challenging to monitor their actions, address potential abuses of power, or foster accountability.

This centralization may lead to inefficiencies and could result in decisions that do not reflect the broader interests of the community. As a result, while the commission system can streamline decision-making, it potentially undermines democratic principles and governance effectiveness due to this lack of checks and balances.