Five people — the Mayor, Council President, Comptroller, City Solicitor, and Director of Public Works — meet most Wednesdays to vote yes or no on the city's contracts and money.

See the Board of Estimates

The Rule Book

The City Charter. It tells the Mayor, Council, and every agency what they can and can't do.

Read the Charter →

The Money

$4.3 billion a year. See where every dollar goes in one picture.

See the budget →

The Meetings

Almost every city meeting is open to the public. See what's next on the calendar.

See the calendar →

Browse everything

Every agency, every district, every watchdog — one page each.

All city agencies

Every department, office, and bureau — grouped by who runs them.

Browse agencies →

City Council

All 14 districts plus the Council President and Comptroller.

Meet the Council →

Watchdogs & boards

The Inspector General, Ethics Board, and other groups that keep city government in check.

See the watchdogs →

Step by step

Eight short reads. Plain words. No insider talk.

The Mayor

The Mayor runs the city. The Mayor picks the people in charge of police, trash, parks, and other agencies, and writes the first draft of the city's money plan. We vote for a Mayor every 4 years.

City Council

The City Council is 15 people. Fourteen of them speak for one part of the city each. One leads the whole group. They make new laws, vote yes or no on the Mayor's money plan, and ask hard questions at public meetings.

City Agencies

Agencies do the day-to-day work. Public Works (DPW) picks up your trash and runs the water. Transportation (DOT) fixes roads and buses. Housing (DHCD) takes care of homes. Police (BPD) handle crime. Health takes care of clinics and shots.

The Budget Process

Every spring the Mayor turns in a money plan. A small group called the Board of Estimates says yes. Then the Council holds public meetings, makes changes, and votes on it before July 1.

Zoning & Land Use

Zoning is the rule book for what can be built where: homes, stores, factories, or parks. The Planning Department, a special board (BMZA), and the Council all have a say. Big changes need a public meeting first.

311 & Service Requests

311 is the city's help line for things that aren't an emergency: a pothole, a missed trash day, a dumped couch, a junk car. Call, text, or use the app. You get a number so you can check on it later.

Public Meetings

Almost every city meeting is open. The list of what they'll talk about is posted online ahead of time, and you can watch live from your phone.

Giving Testimony

You can stand up at a city meeting and say what you think — in person or by sending a letter. Sign up before the meeting. You usually get 3 minutes.