City Guide
City Council and Mayor
For information about the Ann Arbor City Council and issues currently before it, see a2gov.org
City council adopts the city's annual budget and determines city laws and policies. It has 11 members: 2 from each of the city's 5 wards, plus the mayor. Ward representatives are paid $16,231.76/year. Council members are elected to staggered 4-year terms: 1 seat in each ward is filled in a partisan election every even-year November (see Elections). Ann Arbor has not elected a Republican officeholder since 2003, so the August Democratic primary (see Elections) almost always decides the council's membership. All candidates in 2020 are running as Democrats.
Regular city council meetings are held the 1st & 3rd Mon. at 7 p.m. in the council chambers, 2nd floor of City Hall. Agendas for council meetings and notices of public hearings are posted at a2gov.org
Ten 3-minute slots are available for public comment at the beginning of each regular council meeting. Sign-up for speaking slots begins at 8 a.m. the day of the meeting; call (734) 794-6140) to sign up. Members of the public may address council at the end of each meeting. Persons with disabilities can arrange accommodations, including sign-language interpreters, by contacting the city clerk's office, 301 E. Huron, 2nd floor (734-794-6140, a2gov.org
Mayor, Larcom City Hall, 3rd floor. (734) 794-6161. The mayor, elected in a partisan election every 4 years, presides over city council and is a voting member; leads council in setting policy and approving the budget; nominates members of boards and commissions, subject to confirmation by city council; has the power to veto most council actions; has certain police powers in emergencies; and acts as ceremonial head of the city.
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