City Council City Council 101: Duties & Campaign Tips

An illustration of a young person with dark skin, short hair, and large blue-rimmed glasses, wearing a light blue hoodie, set against a dark blue circular background. Used as a decorative representation of a City Council person.

Cities and towns across the U.S. are the frontlines of decision-making that directly affects residents’ daily lives. City and town councils play a pivotal role in shaping local policies, services, and community well-being.

Most cities and towns operate under one of four main government systems:

Mayor-Council
Commission
Town Meeting
Representative Town Meeting

Some also appoint professional city or town managers who oversee operations and help implement council decisions. The structure and size of a city or town council often depend on the community’s population.

In short: City council members act as the legislative branch of local government, setting priorities and policies that guide everything from housing and safety to recreation and infrastructure.

Responsibilities

City or town council members:

Pass local laws and ordinances
Approve and oversee the city budget
Allocate funding (including state and federal aid)
Supervise the administration of city/town services
Make decisions about land use, zoning, public works, and local services

Common focus areas include:

Roads, parks, and public spaces
Waste management and water services
Emergency preparedness
Taxation and economic development
Public safety and animal control
Funding for schools (note: school boards typically oversee education directly)

City councils are increasingly handling complex issues such as disaster response, cybersecurity, aging infrastructure, and environmental challenges.

Helpful Skills

If you’re considering this type of public service, here are skills and experiences that can strengthen your impact:

Community Involvement: Strong local ties and a track record of community engagement are key.
Communication: Public speaking, clear writing, and active listening are essential for working with residents and fellow council members.
Negotiation & Patience: Policy-making often involves compromise and long-term collaboration.
Basic Budgeting/Finance Knowledge: While not mandatory, understanding budgets and public finance helps with oversight responsibilities.
Experience at Council Meetings: Attending public meetings before running can offer valuable insight into procedures and current issues.

The time commitment for city or town council members can vary based on the jurisdiction. Most councils meet biweekly or monthly, with additional time spent in subcommittee meetings and community engagements. Council members often balance their duties with other full-time work or responsibilities.

Compensation also varies widely:

Lower-end salaries: Around $10,000 per year
Higher-end salaries: Up to $320,000 per year in large metropolitan areas

Many cities and towns reimburse council members for travel or provide a modest salary for their service. Some jurisdictions also offer benefits such as health insurance and pensions.

Council members typically work closely with support staff, including an attorney, a clerk, and administrative support. In larger cities, the city council president may have a dedicated Chief of Staff.

Importantly, much of the work happens outside formal meetings—council members often spend significant time in their communities, meeting with residents and addressing local concerns.

View A Sample Council Meeting

A city council campaign can look very different depending on location. For example, a race in Nebraska may focus more on door-to-door outreach, while a campaign in New York might require significant fundraising to reach a larger population.

A key factor in any campaign is communication with voters. Even in small municipalities, candidates should expect to budget for essentials like postage, flyers, and digital outreach. Many cities are working to expand public funding options to make running for local office more accessible.

While candidates don’t need millions of dollars, every campaign needs resources to connect with voters effectively. Starting early—ideally 12 to 18 months before an election—can make a big difference, giving candidates time to build a strong network and campaign team.

Most local campaigns are part-time efforts, often powered by volunteers, but they are just as impactful in shaping a community’s future.

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Typical requirements include:

Be 18 years of age at the start of the term.
Be a resident of the district that the individual is running to represent.
Be a US citizen.
Be free of felony convictions.
Mentally capable to serve (not to have been determined mentally incapacitated by a court of law).

Legal requirements to seek and serve on a city/town council vary by jurisdiction. Most places require that the candidate live in the district they seek to serve, either before the election or shortly after. Candidates must almost universally be registered to vote in the district. There are no particular education requirements.

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Responsibilities

Helpful Skills

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