It is relatively common for a town to attain a population of more than 800 and less common for a third or second class city to grow above 60,000 or 100,000 respectively. The law now seems to require municipalities that become third class cities by growth to maintain the town form of government. There does not appear to be an option for a newly classed city to opt for the statutory form of government. This will result in third class cities operating with a five-member council unless the voters opt for one of the alternative forms of government. The distinction between powers and duties of the various classes of municipalities is not as significant an issue.
Towns have basically the same power as cities, although they have slightly differing duties.
Towns operate under a less stringent fiscal procedures act, nepotism act and have different election code requirements and campaign finance disclosure requirements. Cities of the first and second class have more required meetings as well as employees who are in civil service positions. There are other minor differences between the classes but all municipalities have largely the same powers and duties with limited exceptions In conclusion, the classification of municipalities is becoming a distinction without a difference. The changes in law have made the change in classification more automatic but law changes have also made them less significant. The forms of government will not change with a change in class.