City Council

About the City Council

The City of Umatilla operates under a Council/Manager form of government, as approved by charter. This system combines the political leadership of an elected City Council with the professional expertise of an appointed City Manager.

In this structure, the elected City Council holds the authority to set policies, while hiring a professional manager to implement those policies and oversee the daily operations of the city. Established over 100 years ago, the Council/Manager form of government is now the most widely used structure in U.S. cities with populations over 2,500.

The City Council, elected by the public, is responsible for adopting and enforcing ordinances, policies, and regulations, as well as managing the city’s budget. Their primary duty is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community.