A popularly elected Mayor presiding over a 12-member Council heads the City of Albany. The Mayor and Councillors serve four-year terms. Local government elections are held on a two-year cycle, with half of the Councillors facing one election, and the Mayor and remaining Councillors facing election two years later. The next ordinary local government election will be held in 2013.

Like many local governments, the City of Albany has a ward system. The City is divided into six wards, each represented by two Councillors. The wards are Breaksea, Frederickstown, Kalgan, Vancouver, West and Yakamia. Follow the link below to see Councillor profiles.

Chief Executive Officer Faileen James and four Executive Directors lead the administrative functions of the City implementing policy directions and decisions set by the elected Council. Click below to view key personnel.

Administrative functions are broadly divided into:

• Office of the CEO: This team reports directly to the CEO and is responsible for planning governance, corporate governance, economic development and public relations.
• Development Services: Look at the 'You and Your Property' section of this website to find information related to this division, covering planning, building, health services, animal control and fire and emergency management.
• Corporate Services: This division has recently been restructured to one section. The Corporate Services section is responsible for the City’s finances, including rates and payments, along with information technology, human resources and customer service.
• Community Services: This division has recently been restructured to one section. The Community Services section covers recreation, arts and culture, community development, rangers and service entities such as the Albany Public Library, the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre, the Albany Visitor Centre, the Vancouver Arts Centre, the Albany Regional Day Care Centre, the Albany Town Hall Theatre, the Princess Royal Fortress and the former HMAS Perth Artificial Dive Reef.
• Works and Services: Construction and maintenance are managed by this division. Other responsibilities include parks and gardens, waste management and oversight of City projects.

The City of Albany adopted Budget for 2011-12 financial year can be found below:

The City of Albany adopted its 2011-2012 Strategic Plan in August 2011. To get a copy of the Strategic Plan click on the download below. Further informatioin can be found on the Strategic Plan page on this website, found on the home page (see link below). A Corporate business plan will be prepared to guide future projects and activities in late 2011.

To review the City of Albany Annual Report, click the link below.