Final answer:
The advantage of the council-manager system is the separation of political and administrative functions. The disadvantage is a potential lack of direct accountability to voters.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking about a method used to choose the heads of city departments. One advantage of this method, known as the council-manager system, is that it allows for a separation of political functions and administrative functions. This means that city council members can focus on policy-making and budgeting, while a professional city manager handles the day-to-day operations of the city government.
One disadvantage of the council-manager system is that there may be a lack of direct accountability to the voters. Since the city manager is appointed by the city council, they may not face the same level of scrutiny and accountability as elected officials. This can lead to a perceived lack of democratic representation and transparency in decision-making.