How the City Council Works
The Baltimore City Council makes the rules and laws for how the city works. They help decide what’s most important for Baltimore and how the city should spend its money. Their main job is to speak up for the people in each neighborhood and help solve problems across the city.
There are 15 members on the City Council. Fourteen of them are chosen by voters in different parts of the city, and one—the Council President—is elected by the whole city. The Council works with the Mayor to make laws, approve important decisions, and check that city departments are doing their jobs.
Function | Purpose |
| Ordinance & Resolution | Enact laws addressing public safety, housing, zoning, transportation, and health. |
| Budget Adoption | Review, amend, and adopt the annual budget proposed by the Mayor; oversee expenditures. |
| Oversight & Confirmation | Confirm mayoral appointments; monitor agency performance through hearings and reports. |
| Constituent Advocacy | Provide a direct channel for residents’ concerns; hold public hearings for transparency. |