Office of the City Commission

Overview

Grand Rapids Voters adopted the Commission-Manager form of government in 1916. This means that City leadership is made up of elected officials and the City Manager. The City Commission is a legislative body. Its members are the community’s policy-makers. The Commission hires the Manager to serve as the City’s chief administrator. For more info, you can view the City of Grand Rapids Charter online.


Elections

The Mayor is the official head of the City and presides at meetings of the City Commission’s decisions. This person is elected “at large,” or by the entire City. This legislative body for the Commissioners consists of the Mayor and six Commissioners. They are all elected by wards, two from each of the City’s three wards. The Commissioners serve four-year overlapping terms. Every two years, the community elects one commissioner from each ward.

The Mayor is the official head of the City and presides at meetings when the City Commission makes decisions. This person is elected “at large,” or by the entire City. This legislative body consists of the Mayor and six Commissioners. The City is divided into three legislative districts called Wards. The residents of each Ward directly elect two commissioners to represent them. Commissioners serve four-year overlapping terms. Every two years, the community elects one commissioner from each ward.

Current Elected Officials

Want more info about City Commission meetings and agendas? You've come to the right place.

City Commission Meetings

About the Plan

We developed a Strategic Plan for the City of Grand Rapids! It's the first plan of this type for the City, and it covers fiscal years 2020 - 2023 (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2023).

Learn More

The City of Grand Rapids is a City Commission and City Manager form of government. The Commission adopts policies that give management general direction to achieve specific goals.

City Commission Policies

Led by the City Manager, the Executive Office is responsible for enacting City Commission policies and enforcing administrative policies.

Office of the City Manager

The Office of the City Manager coordinates the development of policies which align to the oversight of City operations.

Administrative Policies