Frequently asked questions

Austin uses a council–manager form of government. Voters elect an eleven-member City Council that sets policy and passes the budget, and the council hires a professional city manager to run day-to-day operations — police, parks, permits, utilities, and the rest.

Since 2014, Austin has elected ten council members from ten geographic districts, plus a mayor chosen citywide — ten plus one, or “10-1.” Before that, the whole council was elected citywide, which critics said left parts of the city under-represented.

The mayor presides over council meetings, sets the agenda, and is the city's public face with the county, the Legislature, and other governments. But the mayor holds just one vote of eleven and does not run city departments — that's the city manager's role. Austin does not have a “strong mayor.”

Austin has ten numbered districts. Look yours up by address using the City of Austin's official district maps, then see who represents it on our council pages.

Council agendas post in advance, meetings are streamed and archived, and any resident can sign up to speak during public comment. Check the posted agenda for the date and sign-up details, and look up recorded votes afterward.

Yes. This is an independent reference. We don't endorse candidates, rank officials, or reproduce another publisher's lists or awards. We explain how the city works and report what happened. See About.