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. Spokane voters passed an initiative changing the form of government in November 1999.

The Strong Mayor initiative created distinct legislative and executive branches in our City government similar to our state and federal governments. 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 Mayor also has a role as a community leader and works with a variety of outside interests and organizations as they partner to improve our City.

The Deputy Mayor, meanwhile, serves in the capacity of the City's chief operating officer. Under the current structure, he is responsible for overseeing all of the operating divisions of the City.

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. The Council sets City policy, passes ordinances, and guides the City through legislative efforts.

The Council President is the head of the legislative branch of government. The Council President is the only member of the Council voted upon by the entire City. In 1999, voters approved a measure to elect Council members by district. Three districts have been created, and the other six Council members are elected by only those residents in the district they represent. During the November 2001 election, three Council members were elected by district for the first time; the remaining three Council positions were elected by district in the 2003 general election.