| Los Angeles is the biggest municipality in | | | | retains veto power. |
| the state of California and number two in the | | | | |
| United States with an approximate population | | | | Just below the mayor on the totem pole is the |
| of more than 3.5 million in 2006. Los Angeles | | | | Los Angeles City Council, the governing body. |
| is the seat of Los Angeles County, the most | | | | The council meets regularly in City Hall on |
| populous county in the country. With such a | | | | specific days of the week. It is comprised of |
| huge population and a widespread | | | | 15 members from 15 administrative districts. |
| infrastructure, a strong, effective municipal | | | | Each one is elected to a four-year term. They |
| government is essential. | | | | are the best-paid city council members in the |
| | | | country, and can boast of perks like a free |
| The government consists of the following | | | | car. |
| principal offices: mayor; city council | | | | |
| members; and a city controller. There are | | | | The Department of Water and Power is the |
| also executive directors for various city | | | | biggest municipal utility in the U.S., |
| departments. | | | | serving 3.9 million LA residents in 2006. The |
| | | | utility was founded in 1902. |
| The most important personage is the mayor, | | | | |
| who is titled the chief executive officer of | | | | The position of city controller functions as |
| the city. He or she can serve in office for a | | | | the city's auditor and chief accounting |
| four-year term, and by law cannot serve more | | | | officer. Alongside the mayor and city |
| than two terms. Antonio Villaraigosa, the | | | | attorney, the position is voted on every four |
| current mayor, is the 52nd to hold that | | | | years. The position was established in 1878 |
| office in the city of Los Angeles. | | | | as the city auditor. |
| | | | |
| Interestingly, the city does not appoint to a | | | | In terms of community involvement in |
| city manager position, thus putting much more | | | | government, neighborhood councils were |
| responsibility in the hands of the mayor. He | | | | created in 1999. The councils were designed |
| has the power to appoint managers and | | | | to encourage public participation in |
| commissioners, and to remove officials from | | | | government, with the aim of making it more |
| their posts. While many of the appointments | | | | responsive to local needs. |
| are voted on by the city council, the mayor | | | | |