A city council is your local legislature – it passes laws and ordinances, creates boards and commissions to solve problems, and oversees city agencies. It also shares some executive responsibilities with the mayor, though most cities’ councils have limited or no veto power. In cities across the country, residents elect their mayor and city council members to decide which services are provided and how they’re paid for, among other things. They may have a variety of titles, such as councilmember, alderman, freeholder, selectman, trustee or commissioner, depending on their jurisdiction.
Councilors work in committees, where they conduct deep dives into issues affecting their districts and the city as a whole. They discuss proposed legislation and hear from citizens, agency representatives and outside experts. Council members are also assigned — by a vote of all council members — to serve on various committees and subcommittees that focus on particular areas, such as land use, human services or government affairs.
Some of the biggest decisions made by a city council are about how a community should look, from whether to build new apartments in a neighborhood to what kinds of businesses can open near schools. They also create the budget that pays for the city’s services.
This year, as the council’s first female majority took over, the council pursued both long-term goals and tried to tackle some of the most pressing issues. That includes launching a mental health roadmap, passing bills to expand access to free doula services and requiring the city to provide information about abortion options.
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