Our Form of Government

The City of Cedar Rapids' organizational structure begins with its citizens. In 2005, Cedar Rapids voters chose to be governed under a “Home Rule Charter” — one of the eight options for government that cities in Iowa can choose from. You can think of a charter like a constitution — a document that outlines how our local government is structured.

Our charter establishes the Council-Manager form of government as Cedar Rapids’ organizational structure. This form of government combines strong political leadership and representation of elected officials with the strong managerial experience of a City Manager. The Council-Manager form of government is the most popular form of local government in the United States.

Cedar Rapids residents elect the nine members of the City Council. The Council is made up of a Mayor and eight members elected on staggered, four-year terms. The City is divided into five districts. One Councilmember is elected by voters in each district. The remaining three members and Mayor are elected by all voters in Cedar Rapids.

The Mayor and Council are responsible for setting policy, approving the budget, and determining the tax rate. Many Council policies can be reviewed in the City’s municipal code. The municipal code is a collection of laws and regulations grouped together according to the activities they regulate, such as traffic, fire prevention, housing and property maintenance, and more.

The Council operates on a part-time basis and appoints a full-time City Manager to carry out the policies it establishes. The City Manager oversees the day-to-day administrative operations of city government. With the help of department directors and staff, the City Manager is tasked with bringing Council policy decisions to life in the day-to-day workings of our city.

The Council also appoints the City Attorney, City Clerk, and hundreds of community members who serve on various boards, commissions, committees, and task forces. The boards and commissions play a critical role in public policy development, implementation, and review for the Council. These groups serve an important function in molding decisions for our community, acting as the voice of residents and providing stewardship of the City’s assets.

It is the voters who elect the Mayor and City Council; the Council which sets policy and appoints the City Manager, Attorney, Clerk, and members of various boards and commissions; and the City Manager who oversees the daily operations of the City. All these various people work together to represent the best interests of the City and the residents they are elected and appointed to serve. Together, they keep the City functioning and keep you safe — while working to improve the lives of all who call Cedar Rapids home.

City Charter requires Council to appoint a Charter Review Commission every 10 years. The Commission reviews the existing charter and recommends any amendments it deems appropriate. The City Council appointed a Charter Review Commission in 2021. Following public outreach and deliberation, the Commission presented final recommendations in September 2022.

Beyond Mayor and City Council, several governmental organizations represent Cedar Rapids residents. When registered voters take to the ballot box, they also elect leaders of:

Public Schools and Colleges: Cedar Rapids Community School District, College Community School District, or Linn-Mar Community School District; and Kirkwood Community College.

Linn County: Supervisors, Attorney, Auditor, Recorder, Sheriff, Treasurer, Agricultural Extension Council, and Soil & Water Conservation District.

State: Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Secretary of Agriculture, Attorney General, State Senators, and State Representatives.

Federal: President and Vice President of the United States, U.S. Senators, and U.S. House Representatives.

Find your elected officials, based on the address where you live, at LinnCountyElections.org.