Form of Government

Tualatin uses the Council-Manager form of government.* Our City Charter gives responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the City of the City Manager. The Council appoints a qualified person as City Manager. The concept underlying the Council-Manager plan is that Council sets policy and the City Manager carried it out.

City staff is made up of eight departments:  Administration, Community Services, Community Development, Finance, Legal Services, Operations, Information Services and Police. 

Tualatin City Council

Mayor

• Is elected at a state general election for a four-year term.
• Serves as Chairman of Council and presides over its deliberations.
• He or she has a vote on all questions brought before Council.
• Appoints the advisory committees provided by the rules of Council.
• Signs all ordinances and resolutions passed by Council, and endorses bonds approved by Council.
• Is recognized as a community leader and serves as the official head of the City for ceremonial purposes.

Council President

• A Councilor other than the Mayor is nominated and elected by the Council each odd-numbered year to preside over Council in the Mayor's absence.

City Councilors

Except as stipulated otherwise in the City Charter, all powers of the City shall be vested in the Council.

• Six Council positions are elected from the City at large (not by district).
• Councilors are elected for a four-year term at each biennial general (state) election.
• Council makes decisions which include legislative and executive powers, including:
  • adopting City laws, called ordinances, and changing them as needed;
  • determining policies and sets standards;
  • with advice from the Budget Committee, determines the City budget and recommends City taxes and fees; and approves major expenditures. 

Tualatin Development Commission

• Is a separate municipal entity from the City.
• Mayor and Councilors serve as Chairman and Commissioners of the Development Commission.
• Functions as the Urban Renewal Agency of Tualatin.
• Meetings and Work Sessions immediately follow City Council meetings.

 Duties of City Manager

• Carries out Council policies and serves as Executive Officer of the City.
• Manages City business and coordinates the work of all the City departments and staff.
• Is appointed and may be removed by Council.
• Enforces City law and applies Council policies.
• Prepares annual budget estimates for Budget Committee.
• Expends funds as authorized by Council in the budget.
• Communicates with Council about citizen and governmental concerns and issues, City business, and finances.
• Makes recommendations to Council on legislation, finances, policies, employment, services and other matters.
• Investigates and acts on citizen concerns.

 * (Almost every city in Oregon with a population of more than 2,500 residents uses the Council-Manager form of government. The exceptions are Portland, Beaverton, Burns, Lakeview and Junction City.)