Functions and Responsibilities
The City Council is comprised of five members elected at large by the citizens of Poway to serve for four-year overlapping terms. The Mayor is directly elected by the citizens of Poway for a four-year term. Annually, the City Council reorganizes, selecting a Councilmember to serve as Deputy Mayor.
The City Council is accountable to the residents of Poway for all services and programs provided by the City. The City Council serves as the City's policy-making body, taking action on all legislative matters involving the approval and adoption of all City ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and matters requiring policy decision and leadership. In reaching policy decisions, the Council listens to public testimony and reviews proposals designed to meet community needs while maintaining desired service levels.
The City Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk and establishes various citizen advisory committees to ensure broad-based input into City affairs. The City Council oversees the expenditure of all City funds throughout the fiscal year, initiates new programs to upgrade existing services, and determines the ability of the City to provide financing for the proposed budget as submitted by the City Manager. The City Council also serves as the Board of Directors for the Poway Redevelopment Agency.
Current City Council