https://freeportflnews.com/tags/civic-engagement/ Recent content in Civic-Engagement on Freeport, Florida News Hugo en Sat, 16 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500 https://freeportflnews.com/posts/how-city-council-works/ Sat, 16 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500 https://freeportflnews.com/posts/how-city-council-works/ <h1 id="how-city-council-works-a-plain-english-guide">How City Council Works: A Plain-English Guide</h1> <p>Freeport&rsquo;s city council is where the rubber meets the road for local government. This is the group that decides whether Walmart gets built, how loud construction can be, what happens in city parks, and how your tax dollars get spent. Here&rsquo;s what you need to know.</p> <hr> <h2 id="what-is-the-city-council">What Is the City Council?</h2> <p>Freeport operates under a <strong>Mayor-Council</strong> form of government. That means:</p> <ul> <li>The <strong>Mayor</strong> (currently Russ Barley, in office since 2013) runs the meetings and has a vote on most matters</li> <li>The <strong>Council</strong> (5 members) votes on ordinances, budgets, zoning changes, contracts, and city policy</li> <li>The <strong>City Manager</strong> and department heads handle day-to-day operations and report to the council</li> </ul> <p>Think of it like this: the council sets the rules, and city staff carries them out.</p>