How The Government And Community Work Together In Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the biggest city in the state of California and number two in the United States with an approximate population of more than 3.5 million in 2006. The city is the seat of Los Angeles County, which has more residents than any other county in the country. With such a huge population and a massive infrastructure, a strong, effective city government is a necessity.

The government consists of the following main offices: mayor; members of the city council; and a city controller. There are also executive directors for various city departments.

The most prominent person is the mayor, who is known as the chief executive officer of the city. He or she can serve in office for a four-year term, and by law cannot serve more than two terms. Antonio Villaraigosa, the incumbent, is the 52nd person to serve in that office in the city of Los Angeles.

Of note, the city does not appoint to a city manager position, thus putting much more power in the hands of the mayor. He has the power to appoint managers and commissioners, and to remove officials from their jobs. While typically the appointments are voted on by the city council, the mayor retains the power of the veto.

Just below the mayor on the totem pole is the Los Angeles City Council, the governing body. The council meets regularly in City Hall on specific days of the week. It is composed of 15 members from 15 administrative districts. Each member is elected to a four-year term. They are the highest-paid city council members in the nation, and enjoy perks like a free car.

The Department of Water and Power is the most powerful municipal utility in the U.S., serving 3.9 million Los Angeles residents in 2006. The utility was founded in 1902.

The position of city controller functions as the city's auditor and chief accounting officer. Along with the mayor and city attorney, the position is chosen by popular vote every four years. The job was established in 1878 as the city auditor.

As far as community involvement in government, neighborhood councils were created in 1999. They were designed to promote public participation in government, making it more representative of local needs.