Government of Minneapolis


, the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County, operates under a Mayor–council government system. This article provides an overview of the structure and functions of Minneapolis's city government.

Charter and ordinances

Minnesota was the fourth state in the U.S. to permit "home rule" in 1896. A home rule charter serves as a constitution for a local government. It allows a community to establish and maintain a municipal corporation to provide for the common health, safety, and welfare.
Several early attempts to establish a home rule charter in Minneapolis failed. In 1920, the matter was resolved by the Minnesota State Legislature when it codified the general statutes applicable to first class cities as well as all special laws specific to the City of Minneapolis at that time into the City’s first home rule charter. That charter remained in effect—through multiple amendments—until 2013, when a complete revision, including the incorporation of plain language principles, was adopted by voters in 2013.
Ordinances are laws or regulations enacted by the city council designed to address the specific needs and concerns of Minneapolis, including zoning, public safety, noise control, and business regulation.

Structure

City Council

The Minneapolis City Council is the primary legislative body, consisting of members elected from 13 wards. The council holds significant power over local legislation, budget decisions, and oversight of city departments.

Mayor

The Mayor of Minneapolis, currently a position held by a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, operates alongside the city council. The mayor's role was previously considered relatively weak compared to some other U.S. cities, but following a charter amendment in 2021, the mayor gained more executivepower and the council was reduced to purely legislative duties. The mayor appoints heads of various city departments.

Departments

The city also includes several independent boards responsible for parks, taxation, public schools, and public housing. These boards have the authority to levy taxes and fees within their respective areas, subject to limitations set by the Board of Estimate and Taxation.

Boards and commissions

Advisory

Independent bodies

Political landscape and elections

Minneapolis is known as a stronghold for the DFL, reflecting a liberal-leaning political climate. The city council is predominantly composed of DFL members, with occasional representation from other parties such as the Green Party or independents affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America.
YearDemocraticRepublicanThird Parties
202485.02% 185,58611.73% 25,5933.25% 7,095
202086.44% 204,84111.31% 26,7922.26% 5,344
201679.84% 174,58511.75% 25,6938.41% 18,380
201280.27% 172,48016.55% 35,5603.18% 6,839
200881.15% 169,20416.77% 34,9582.09% 4,352
200477.64% 156,21420.69% 41,6331.67% 3,366
200065.72% 115,03722.14% 38,75812.14% 21,242

Neighborhoods

The city is divided into communities, each containing neighborhoods. For example, the Near North community is composed of the Hawthorne, Jordan, Near North, Sumner-Glenwood and Willard-Hay neighborhoods. Neighborhoods coordinate activities under the Neighborhood Revitalization Program. In some cases two or more neighborhoods act together under one organization. Some areas are commonly known by nicknames of business associations like Dinkytown, Downtown, Midtown and Uptown.

Foreign consulates

The following list are countries that currently have consulate offices in Minneapolis:
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