Houston: Municipal Government

Houston, the Harris County seat, has a mayor-council form of government. The mayor, 14-member city council, and city controller are elected concurrently to two-year terms. The mayor serves as the chief executive, the council as the legislature, and the controller as the financial manager.

Head Official: Mayor Bill White (since 2004; current term expires 2006)

Total Number of City Employees: 21,621 (2004)

City Information: City of Houston, 900 Bagby, PO Box 1562, Houston, TX 77251-1562; telephone (713)837-0311