The City of Spokane has about 2,000 employees and operates under a new Mayor-Council, or "strong mayor," form of government. The change to the Strong Mayor form took place in January 2001, after 40 years under a Council-Manager form of government. The Mayor is the head of the executive branch, similar to the governor's role at the state level and the President's role at the federal level. The Deputy Mayor, meanwhile, serves in the capacity of the City's chief operating officer. The other key elected members in our government are the seven members of the City Council, who make up the legislative branch of the City's government.