What does a mayor do?

What this office controls

• In strong-mayor cities: runs city departments, proposes the budget, and appoints department heads.
• In council-manager cities: presides over the council and sets agenda, while a hired manager runs operations.
• Represents the city in regional and state negotiations.
• Often holds veto power over council ordinances.

What it can’t do

Just as important, and the source of most misplaced expectations about the job:

• Cannot override state law, and many states preempt local ordinances.
• In council-manager cities, has limited day-to-day administrative authority.
• Cannot set property tax rates alone — the council votes.

Why this race matters

City government controls the services you touch every day: police, fire, water, trash, streets, permitting, and zoning. Whether the mayor runs the city or mainly leads the council depends on your city's charter, and that difference is large.

What to look for in a candidate

• Whether your city is strong-mayor or council-manager, which determines what the job actually is.
• Budget priorities and position on the city tax rate.
• Record on housing, permitting, and development.
• Public safety and infrastructure plans.