The City of OKC: How it works

We know that for a lot of people, learning the ins and outs of city government are not at the top of their list, but the functions of city government are extremely important. The decisions made at city hall have a direct impact on your day-to-day life. If you are new to OKC (or need a little refresher), here is a brief rundown of how the City of Oklahoma City is operated.

Oklahoma City has a council-manager government, which combines the leadership of elected officials with the managerial experience of an appointed manager.

Oklahoma City is divided into eight geographical areas called wards. A representative from each ward and the mayor are the nine members of the City Council. They are elected to four-year terms. The voters of each ward elect a council member to represent them, and the mayor is elected at-large. The mayor and council appoint a city manager to serve as the city's chief administrative official. The mayor and council also appoint the city auditor, municipal counselor and municipal court judges.

What role does the mayor play in city government? Oklahoma City’s mayor is the chief executive of the city and president of the council, according to the Oklahoma City Charter. The mayor is the only person elected citywide, is a voting member of the City Council and presides over its meetings, makes appointments to boards and commissions, represents Oklahoma City at home and around the nation and world, articulates the city’s vision, leads major initiatives, issues proclamations, delivers an annual State of the City address and, along with the Council, hires the city manager, the municipal counselor, the city auditor and municipal judges.

All authority to set policy rests with the mayor and City Council. The city manager has broad authority to run the organization.

Volunteer members of boards, commissions and committees play a major role in advising and supporting the mayor and City Council’s efforts.