The Newcastle City Council

The City of Newcastle operates with a Council-Manager form of government. In this system, the City Council provides leadership by establishing goals, plans and policies. City Councilmembers appoint a City Manager to execute Council directives and oversee the daily activities of city staff. Newcastle's City Council is made up of seven non-partisan members elected by voters living in the city. Councilmembers serve terms of four years. Every two years, the Council elects a Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The Mayor directs the conduct of Council meetings and represents the Council at other meetings and events, and the Deputy Mayor serves in the Mayor's absence.

Preliminary work on the city's objectives and policies is accomplished openly through Council Committee meetings. The Council Finance Committee and Salary and Benefits Committee develop recommendations to the full City Council. Council committees meet monthly or as-needed. The City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7 p.m., at Newcastle City Hall. Councilmembers also represent the interests of the city as members of regional organizations. View Councilmember profiles on the City Council page and learn about city meetings here.

Councilmembers frequently communicate with city residents on important issues. Regular Council meetings and an annual Town Hall meeting provide an opportunity for direct public participation. Further input from residents is provided by the Council's advisory boards and other citizen committees.