An election is held each year on the second Saturday in May to elect Councilmembers. In even-numbered years, an election is held to fill Places 3, 4 and 5; in odd-numbered years, the Mayor and Places 1, 2 and 6 are elected. The Mayor and Places 5 and 6 are considered at-large positions. Councilmembers elected to fill Places 1, 2, 3 and 4 are required to live in their respective districts; however, all places are voted into office by the entire City electorate. All positions serve for two-year terms unless vacancies or resignations require that the positions be filled to complete unexpired terms, as is the case this year. The positions of Mayor and City Council, Place 2, were elected in 2008 to fill vacancies for unexpired terms and the terms will expire in May 2009.

The City Charter requires that district boundaries be reviewed every three years for even distribution of population. The districts were last reviewed in November 2005 and Ordinance No. 3777 was adopted revising the shared boundaries between Council Districts 3 and 4.

The current Mayor and City Council are as follows: