This study attempts to find out the role expectations of the city managers in the policy processes of urban government by using the survey research method. Fourteen managers from Los Angeles, California, and eight managers from Utah selected at random were administered a questionnaire with ten specific statements about a city manager's role in urban℗ʺ politics. The main hypothesis of the thesis was: The policy role expectations of the city managers in Los Angeles County, California, and in the State of Utah differ because of: 1. the rise of the political boss or the mayor; 2. the discretionary powers given to the city managers; 3. the types of education the city managers have had; 4. the size of the city population; and 5. geographical and environmental differences. The data reveal that these variables, viz., advanced education, mayoral election, the discretionary powers given to the city managers, types of education, and the size of the city population and the differences of geography and environment are crucial factors that affect the role expectations of the city managers in the two areas selected for study. In Los Angeles County, California, the city managers tend to take a strong stand on initiation and participation in policy processes, whereas, in the State of Utah the city managers were content to abide by the mandates of the council. The concept of policy-administration dichotomy did not seem to bother the Los Angeles County city managers and they tended to feel it was out-moded and not practical in a complex situation of today's cities.