Learn About Redmond's City Council

Redmond has a mayor-council, non-partisan form of government, with a strong-mayor. Seven Council Members and the Mayor, all representing the community at large, are each elected directly by the people for staggered four-year terms. The City Council adopts the City budget, establishes law and policy, approves appropriations and contracts, levies taxes, and grants franchises. The Mayor serves as the City's chief executive and administrative officer who oversees all departments and employees. The Mayor attends and presides over Council meetings but does not vote, except in the case of a tie.

  1. Council Roles and Responsibilities
  2. Mayor Roles and Responsibilities
  3. Other Important Roles
  • Legislative Branch
  • Provides to the Mayor direction on policy goals and objectives for long-term vision based on community values and needs
  • Adopts the budget, sets fees, accepts grants, and oversees financial and performance measures
  • Adopts codes, zoning, and standards in city law and regulations
  • Approves contracts, real estate transactions, claim settlements, and interlocal agreements
  • Approves pay ranges and union contracts
  • Advises Mayor to support staff implementation of policies
  • Represents the majority position of the Council to the public

Rules Governing the City

RCW 35 – Municipal code for Cities and Towns.

RCW 35A – Optional Municipal Code which provides an alternative to the basic statutory classification system of municipal government. It was designed to provide broad statutory home rule authority in matters of local concern.

Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) – Requires that all meetings of the Council and boards and commissions be open to the public and all action taken be done at meetings that are open to the public. The OPMA contains specific provisions regarding regular and special meetings, executive sessions, the types of notice that must be given for meetings, the conduct of meetings, and the penalties and remedies for violations.

Public Records Act (PRA) – Requires that all public records maintained by the City be made available to all members of the public, with very narrow statutory exemptions.

Open Government Training Act – Requires training for local government officials in the fundamentals of the Open Public Meetings Act, Public Records Act, and records retention requirements.