Frequently Asked Questions: Form of Government

What form of government does Portland have?

Portland has a mayor-council form of government.

Before 2025, Portland had a commission form of government, which means that City Council, consisting of a mayor and four commissioners, exercises legislative and executive powers. Executive power includes managing City bureaus. 

After voters approved a Charter change in 2022, we now have a mayor and a council consisting of 12 councilors who will be elected in their districts. The Council no longer oversees day-to-day operations of Portland bureaus. Instead, the City Administrator will lead administrative operations of the City. 

What is City Council? What does the Mayor do? 

City Council is the policy body for the City of Portland. They convene public meetings, gather input, debate, and evaluate policy choices and adopt laws to reflect those choices. Council approves the budget, issue bonds, levy taxes, and sets most rates and fees. The City Charter amendments approved by voters in 2022 explicitly prohibit the council from exercising the executive and administrative powers granted to the mayor.

The Mayor does not serve on Council. Instead, they lead the executive branch and have administrative authority. The Mayor appoints, and Council confirms, the City Administrator. The Mayor and City Administrator work together to implement the laws and policies developed by Council and manage all city bureaus. The Mayor also proposes the city’s budget to Council for review and approval. 

Is being a council member a full-time job? If a councilor was a City of Portland employee before they were elected, could they keep their job?

Being a councilor is a full-time job. The City Charter does not allow elected councilors to hold other jobs or receive outside income. They will be full time, solely dedicated to their elected role.

When should you contact City Council? 

Contact the councilors representing your district to highlight a pattern of issues in your community or to encourage them to advocate for budget allocations to resolve these issues.

Ways to engage with your councilors: 

• Attend or provide input at a council committee or regular meetings.
• Participate in council-hosted meetings, events and town halls.
• Call or provide written input to council offices.

When should you contact the Mayor?

Contact the mayor to improve a program that is important to you or help a bureau improve their service.

Ways to engage with the mayor: 

• Participate in City-hosted meetings, events, and surveys.
• Apply to serve on a City advisory board, committee or commission.
• Call or provide written input to the mayor’s office.