Stafford City Government

Before May 15, 2004, Stafford operated under a Mayor-Council member form of government as a General Law (Type A) City - a strong mayoral system with no City Manager.

In an election held May 15, 2004, the citizens of Stafford voted by a 2-to-1 margin to adopt a Home Rule Charter. This change was proposed by a 15-member commission and provides for a Mayor-Council form of government. Under the Home Rule Charter, the City Council is composed of a Mayor and six City Council members.

Ten department directors report directly to the Mayor and City Council. The City is prudently run and has an "A" bond rating. The City prides itself on its outstanding record of fiscal responsibility over the past quarter century, which is one of the main reasons the City was able to eliminate its property tax in 1995.

The Mayor and six Council members are elected at-large with staggered two-year terms and collectively form the City Council. A Mayor Pro Tem is elected annually from among the City Council. A City Secretary is appointed by the Council and serves until replaced.

City Council conducts regularly scheduled meetings on the first, second and third Wednesdays of the month at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 2610 S. Main Street. Typically, engineering and plat items are considered on the second Wednesday of the month.

All meetings are open to the public and televised live on S-METV, Channel 16 via Comcast Channel 16. Agendas for each meeting are posted at City Hall and on the web site by 5 p.m. on the Friday prior to a Wednesday meeting.

Financial statements for both the City of Stafford and the Stafford Economic Development Corporation are posted on the web site.

The Stafford Planning and Zoning Commission meets at 7:30 p.m. on the Tuesday preceding the second Wednesday of the month.

The Stafford Economic Development Corporation regularly meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month, with occasional special meetings held on other Mondays of the month.