As the City's governing body, Burien's seven elected City
Councilmembers establish City policies and laws, adopt an annual budget,
approve appropriations, contract for services and grant franchises.
City Councilmembers serve staggered four-year terms; roughly half the
Council is up for election every two years. All Councilmembers are
"at-large" meaning that they serve the City as a whole as opposed to a
specific district.
The City Council chooses a Mayor and Deputy
Mayor from among its members at the first meeting of the new year
following an election. The Mayor presides at Council meetings and
represents the City at ceremonial functions and inter-governmental
meetings. The Deputy Mayor presides in the Mayor's absence.