Download the Fact Sheet as a pdf
What does my local city council do?
- Approves the city budget
- Passes local resolutions and ordinances (laws)
- Establishes programs and public services for the city
- Establishes tax rates
City council members are elected in nonpartisan elections.
Other names for city council include “board of alderman,” “city board,” “common council”, “Village Board” and “selectboard.”
The local city council makes an impact on your community by dealing with issues such as:
- Mass transit including bus systems and paratransit
- public works like - trash collection, municipal water services, snow removal, sidewalk and street maintenance
- zoning and planning
- economic development
- housing
- public health
- public safety including police and fire protection
- taxes and fees
How do I decide who to vote for?
1.Decide what you are looking for in a candidate.
- What issues are important to you?
- What qualities do you want in a leader?
2.Learn about the candidates.
- Watch candidate forums and interviews. Look for news coverage of the candidates. Google the candidates. Seek other nonpartisan sources for information.
- Review candidate websites, campaign materials, or contact the campaign to ask questions.
- What are their qualifications?
- What are their priorities?
3.Sort it out.
- Which candidate’s priorities and views on the role of this position best match your own views?
- Who seems most prepared for the job?
- Who has the leadership qualities you are looking for?
