Your Government
Your government has operated under a Commission-Manager form of government since 1927. The City Commission is responsible for enacting the ordinances and resolutions that govern the City. The City Manager, who is appointed by the City Commission, is responsible for the operations and management of all departments of City government, except those controlled by other charter officers. The City Manager implements the policy directives of the City Commission. The current organizational structure is depicted in the image on the right side of this page. Gainesville provides its residents with a wide variety of municipal services including police and fire protection, comprehensive land use planning and zoning services, code enforcement and neighborhood improvements. Construction and maintenance of the City's infrastructure are significant, ongoing services, as well as the planning and operation of the traffic engineering systems. Cultural opportunities, nature trails and parks and recreation improvements (including a championship golf course) help make Gainesville one of the most livable cities in the nation. Gainesville provides refuse removal and recycling services and owns and operates a regional transit system that serves the community, the University of Florida and a portion of Alachua County. The City also provides administrative services to support these activities. These services are accomplished through various City departments under the direct supervision and leadership of the City Manager. Gainesville owns and operates regional electric, water, wastewater, natural gas and telecommunication systems. The General Manager of Utilities, who reports directly to the City Commission, oversees the utility operations. The City's financial statements are organized on the basis of funds, each of which is considered a separate accounting entity. Government resources are allocated to, and accounted for, in individual funds. Funds are based upon the purposes for which they are to be spent and the means by which spending activities are controlled. The City's funds can be divided into three categories: governmental funds, proprietary funds and fiduciary funds. This Web site provides descriptive information about the major services and programs of each City department, as well as an overview of the City's fund structure and the resources that finance those services and programs.