Our City Government
The City of Cape Coral operates under the Council-City Manager form of government. City council members are elected at large from seven districts. The mayor is also elected at large and is the eighth member of council. The mayor presides over council meetings.
The City Council enacts ordinances and resolutions, adopts the budget, comprehensive plan and land-use regulations. The Council appoints the City Manager, City Auditor and City Attorney, as well as the members of all boards and commissions. The City Manager hires all department directors and oversees the day-to-day operations of the city.
Our County Government
Lee County is a political subdivision of the State of Florida, governed by Florida's Constitution and general laws. Founded in 1887, Lee County became a Charter County upon approval of the voters on Nov. 5, 1996; effective Jan. 1, 1997.
The five-member Board of County Commissioners (the "Board") is the legislative and governing body of the County. Each County Commissioner is elected at large for a four-year term of office, and each Commissioner represents and resides in one of the five Commission Districts. The Board elects a Chairman who serves as its presiding officer. The County Manager, the County Attorney and the Hearing Examiner report to the County Commissioners.
Our State Government
The Florida State Constitution declares that the powers of state government be divided into three separate and relatively independent branches; executive, legislative and judicial.
Each branch is sovereign in its own area of responsibility, but it is also influenced by the checks and balances from the other branches. It is basically the same governmental model found at the national level and in all 50 states. The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability provides an organizational chart of Florida's government structure.
The City of Cape Coral operates under the Council-City Manager form of government. City council members are elected at large from seven districts. The mayor is also elected at large and is the eighth member of council. The mayor presides over council meetings.
The City Council enacts ordinances and resolutions, adopts the budget, comprehensive plan and land-use regulations. The Council appoints the City Manager, City Auditor and City Attorney, as well as the members of all boards and commissions. The City Manager hires all department directors and oversees the day-to-day operations of the city.
Our County Government
Lee County is a political subdivision of the State of Florida, governed by Florida's Constitution and general laws. Founded in 1887, Lee County became a Charter County upon approval of the voters on Nov. 5, 1996; effective Jan. 1, 1997.
The five-member Board of County Commissioners (the "Board") is the legislative and governing body of the County. Each County Commissioner is elected at large for a four-year term of office, and each Commissioner represents and resides in one of the five Commission Districts. The Board elects a Chairman who serves as its presiding officer. The County Manager, the County Attorney and the Hearing Examiner report to the County Commissioners.
Our State Government
The Florida State Constitution declares that the powers of state government be divided into three separate and relatively independent branches; executive, legislative and judicial.
Each branch is sovereign in its own area of responsibility, but it is also influenced by the checks and balances from the other branches. It is basically the same governmental model found at the national level and in all 50 states. The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability provides an organizational chart of Florida's government structure.
