Legislative authority is vested in a seven-member Council. Formerly, the seven members of Council were elected at large, every two years, and served staggered terms so that no more than members of Council would be elected at any biennial election. At the municipal election in November, 2002, the electors of the City voted to amend the Charter of the City to require the elections of members of Council by specified wards for terms of four years. Thus, at the next election the voters of the City will elect seven members of Council by wards, each to serve for a term of four years. The Council fixes compensation of City officials and employees, and enacts ordinances and resolutions relating to City services, tax levies, appropriating and borrowing money, licensing and regulating businesses and trades, and other municipal purposes. The President is elected by a majority of the Council for a one-year term. The Charter establishes certain administrative departments. The Council may establish divisions of those departments and additional departments.

The City’s chief executive and administrative officer is the Mayor who is elected by the voters specifically to that office for a four-year term. The Mayor presides at all meetings of Council.

The Mayor appoints, subject to the approval of Council, all the directors of City departments. The mayor also appoints members to a number of boards and commissions, and appoints and removes, in accordance with civil service requirements, all appointed officers and employees, except Council officers and employees. The mayor-appointed officials are the Director of Finance, Law, Personnel, Public Service and Properties, the Building Commissioner, the Director of the Civic and Senior Center, the Director of Economic Development and the Community Liaison Director. The mayor may veto any legislation passed by the Council. A veto may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of all members of Council. All elected officials serve part-time.