City & Town Councils
The city or town council generally functions as the legislative branch of the city government, as well as its policy-making body. The council also looks after the city's goals, major projects and infrastructure improvements ranging from community growth to land use to finances and strategic planning. In cities where the mayor is elected by the city's voters, the mayor pro-tem serves as Acting Mayor in the absence of the mayor. The city charter is the driving document behind what the city or town council can and can't do. This document outlines the scope of what the government does as a whole: including its rules and responsibilities to the citizens; the powers that define the council; and checks and balances.
If you want to know what is going on in your city or surrounding cities, attend city or town council meetings. They are open to the public and the schedule is usually published online. We encourage all citizens to be engaged in your city by attending monthly city or town council meetings. This is a great way to stay informed and to consider whether you might be interested in running for your city or town council one day.