Although city and county governments under the TPG were self-governing bodies before the implementation of downsizing, their status was much lower than that of Taipei and Kaohsiung. In the latter cities, the highest-level bureaucrats were accorded the status of high-ranking officials, and the mayor has full power to assemble his own team to implement his policies.
在實施精省以前，縣市雖是地方自治團體，但其地位與直轄市有如天壤之別，直轄市一級主管都是政務官，市長有充分的人事權，可以自組團隊，遂行施政理想。