What Does the Mayor Actually Do?

When I hear the word "mayor," I picture someone who runs the entire city. But after looking into how Milpitas' government works, I realized it's not that simple.

With the 2026 mayoral election approaching, I wanted to understand what being mayor actually means.

Milpitas uses a council-manager form of government. The City Council includes the mayor and four council members, who set city policies, approve the city budget, and decide how the city moves forward.

So, what does the mayor actually do?

Milpitas voters elect the mayor, who serves as the official head of the city. The mayor votes on City Council matters like any other member but has no veto power and signs ordinances and resolutions once a majority of the council has approved them.

The mayor does not run the city's day-to-day operations. That responsibility belongs to the City Manager's Office, which manages daily city business and carries out the policies the City Council establishes.

So, the mayor's job is less about telling each city department what to do and more about leading the City Council, representing residents, and helping set the city’s direction.

For someone my age, that difference matters. If I have a question about a city issue, it's easy to assume the mayor alone can fix it. In reality, local government involves the mayor, council members, the City Manager, and many different departments working together.

As I learn more about local elections, I realize that knowing who has decision-making power is as important as knowing who is running for office.

Even though I'm only 16 and can't vote yet, understanding how my city works now means I'll be more prepared when I can.