How Houston City Council Works: Districts, At-Large Seats and the Mayor

Houston has a “strong mayor” form of government. The mayor runs the city’s administration and sets the council agenda, while City Council approves the budget, contracts and ordinances. Here is how the pieces fit together.

Who sits on council

• Eleven district council members, one for each district, lettered A to K. District B is one of them. They are elected only by voters who live in their district.
• Five at-large council members, elected citywide. Every Houstonian is represented by all five, in addition to their district member.
• The mayor, elected citywide, who presides over council meetings.
• The city controller, also elected citywide, who is the city’s chief financial officer and certifies that money is available for spending.

Terms and elections

Council members, the mayor and the controller serve four-year terms, with a limit of two terms. Elections are non-partisan and are usually held in November of odd-numbered years, with December runoffs.

What council decides

• The budget, including spending on police, fire, solid waste, parks and libraries.
• Contracts for construction, services and equipment.
• Ordinances, the city’s local laws, on everything from parking to development rules.
• Capital projects, such as drainage and street improvements, through the city’s long-term capital plan.

How a decision is made

1. Items are placed on the council agenda, published before each weekly meeting.
2. Residents can sign up to speak during public comment.
3. Council members can delay (“tag”) an item for a week to study it further.
4. Council votes, and approved items go to the administration to carry out.

How residents can take part

• Call or email your district council member’s office about local problems.
• Contact at-large members too; they represent you as well.
• Speak during public comment, in person or as allowed by current rules.
• Join your civic club and super neighbourhood council.

To report a specific problem, such as a pothole or illegal dumping, start with Houston 311. To learn how candidates win support in the first place, see our guide to endorsements.