The City of Orange is a full-service General Law City operating under a council-manager form of government.

The elected City Council establishes the legislative and policy-making functions of government, and provides direction for the administration of policy decisions through the City Manager for delegation to appropriate City staff.

The City Council consists of six members and a directly elected Mayor. The six members of the City Council are elected by-district to a four-year term.

• Councilmembers are elected by district to serve four-year terms with staggered elections.
• Election of City Councilmembers is non-partisan, and members serve part-time.
• No member may serve more than two consecutive terms or eight consecutive years.
• The Mayor is directly elected at-large for a two-year term.
• No Mayor may serve for more than three consecutive terms or six consecutive years.
• The Mayor presides at meetings and is the official head of the City for ceremonial purposes.
• The Mayor pro tem, chosen by a majority vote of the City Council, carries out the Mayor’s duties in their absence.

The City Manager is appointed by the City Council, and serves as the Council-appointed executive manager of the City. The City Manager is responsible for the implementation and administration of the City Council’s adopted policies and programs.

The City Manager also oversees the day-to-day operation of the City, its economic development activities, and the Internal Audit Program. In addition, the City Manager appoints and manages the City’s Executive Directors.

The City Treasurer is directly elected at-large to a four-year term. The City Treasurer ensures the investment of the City’s funds in compliance with state law and the City’s Statement of Investment Policy.

The City Treasurer monitors revenues, cash flow and needs, and cash controls.

Day-to-day operations are handled by the City’s departments. The departments are run by department directors who report to the City Manager.

This organization ensures the City Manager can keep the City Council aware of operational issues of importance and City-wide concern.