GOV 101: HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKS

City of Charlotte

STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENTState governments handle all governmental

functions that are not assigned to the federal

government by the U.S. Constitution.

In North Carolina, state government divides

government duties between the state, counties,

cities and special districts. Local governments like

Charlotte may only do what the state gives them

authority to do.

Since 1929, Charlotte has operated under a

council-manager form of government that divides

local government duties between elected officials

and an appointed city manager. City Council is

the legislative body. The city manager is the chief

executive officer.

Charlotte Mayor and Members of City Council (2017-2019)

Left to right: LaWana Mayfield (District 3), James Mitchell (At-Large), Braxton Winston (At-Large), Ed Driggs (District 7), Justin Harlow (District 2), Vi Lyles (Mayor), Larken Egleston (District 1), Julie Eiselt (Mayor Pro Tem), Tariq Bokhari (District 6), Greg Phipps (District 4), Matt Newton (District 5), Dimple Ajmera (At-Large)

ROLE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

Residents elect the mayor and 11 city council

members every two years.

• The mayor and four council members are

elected at-large by a citywide vote.

• Seven council members are elected from

districts by voters who reside in each district.

City Council adopts policy, approves the financing

of all city operations and enacts ordinances,

resolutions and orders. It also authorizes contracts

and rezones property. Additionally, City Council

appoints the city manager, city attorney, city clerk

and members of various boards and commissions.

The mayor presides at City Council meetings and

officially represents the city at special ceremonies

and events. The mayor pro tem, elected by a vote

of the City Council, assumes all duties of the office

in the mayor’s absence.

KNOW YOURDISTRICTEnter your address at

CharlotteNC.gov/CityCouncil

to see your:

• District

• Elected officials

• Sample ballot

• Voting location

CharlotteNC.gov/GovU

ATTEND CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

FIRST MONDAYS Council Strategy Session

SECOND MONDAYS Public Forum/Council

Business Meeting

THIRD MONDAYS Zoning Meeting

FOURTH MONDAYS Public Forum/Council

Business Meetings

For more information about City Council meetings,

visit CharlotteNC.gov/CityClerk

ROLE OF THE CITY MANAGER

The city manager administers the policy set by the

mayor and City Council and oversees the day-to-

day operations of city government.

It is the city manager’s responsibility to ensure

that all city services are delivered in a timely and

cost-effective manner, and to provide vision and

leadership to the city organization.

CITY SERVICES

The services provided by city government include,

but are not limited to: police, fire, public transit,

street and sidewalk maintenance, drinking water

treatment, wastewater treatment, solid waste/

recycling collection, housing and neighborhood

programs, code enforcement, airport services,

animal care and control, youth and adult

employment, economic development, business

investment, planning, urban design, engineering,

construction for city projects, environmental

programs, permitting, inspections and zoning.