Information: Communication by elected officials in a Council-Manager form of government

The City of Norman is a Council-Manager form of government. As outlined in the City Charter, the governing body that is elected by community residents - the City Council - appoints three positions at the City of Norman, who are employed by contract: City Manager, City Attorney, City Auditor. All other staff members of the City of Norman ultimately report to the City Manager, who is the Chief Administrative Official and responsible for the day-to-day operations of local government. View an Organization Chart for an illustration of the makeup of the City of Norman as an organization here.

STAFF INFORMATION

Approximately 850 employees are employed at the City of Norman. Under the direction of the City Manager, staff operate in 13 major departments to carry out municipal public services. Staff operates by employee policies and procedures. View a list of City departments and services at Normanok.gov.

CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION

The City of Norman is divided into eight geographical areas called Wards. The voters in each Ward elect a Council member to represent them, and all City voters elect the Mayor. The eight Council members and the Mayor form the nine-member Norman City Council, who generally meet as a governing body on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The Mayor is elected for a three-year term and Council members are elected to a two-year term. The City Manager takes direction from the Norman City Council and then leads municipal staff to work together to carry out strategic priorities and goals for the community, which are also set by the Norman City Council. The only requirement to run for local office at this time is for an interested person to have been duly registered to vote in accordance with state law within the City of Norman for at least six months and to reside in the ward from which they may seek election.

Norman City Council members are not considered traditional employees of the City of Norman. As elected officials, they enjoy the same First Amendment protections as any other citizen. Therefore, City staff cannot take disciplinary action against Council members for exercising those rights. Residents are encouraged to reach out to elected officials independently should they have concerns centered around the actions, viewpoints or behaviors of elected officials. Residents are encouraged to take part in local elections. Except when the Mayor is acting in his/her official capacity as the ceremonial figure head of the City of Norman at public meetings or designated City events, elected officials speak for and on behalf of themselves. The opinions and viewpoints expressed by individual City Council members are not necessarily reflective of a majority of Council or the municipal corporation known as the City of Norman.

Read more about roles and responsibilities of the Norman City Council, view ward maps, or representative contact information at: https://www.normanok.gov/your-government/city-council

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