Tucson City Government

City Government Description

Tucson, Arizona operates under a council–manager form of government, often characterized as a “weak mayor” model. Legislative authority resides with a six-member City Council, each elected by ward, while executive functions are split between the Mayor and the City Manager. The Mayor is elected citywide, and both the Mayor and Council members serve four-year terms. No term limits are imposed.

The City Manager, appointed by the Council, oversees the daily operations of municipal departments, implements Council policies, and manages the city’s budget and personnel. Tucson is unique among Arizona cities in holding officially partisan municipal elections, with ward-level primaries in August followed by citywide elections in November.

The government serves a population of approximately 542,600 (2020 census) across six wards and is responsible for a wide array of services including public safety, transportation, utilities, economic development, environmental services, and planning. Along with the City Council and Manager, major elected and appointed officials include the Mayor, City Attorney, and City Clerk, as well as independent department heads.

The City’s organizational structure encompasses numerous departments such as Police, Fire, City Court, Environmental Services, Planning & Development, Finance, Transportation, and Economic Initiatives. These departments collaborate to support community goals including sustainable development, public safety, equitable service delivery, and economic growth.