Government

The City of Longwood, pursuant to its Charter, follows a "Commission-Manager" form of government.

Residents are served by five (5) non-partisan elected officials who are the policy-making body of the City. These elected officials, the City Commission, appoint the City Manager. The City Manager is the Chief Executive Officer of the City and is responsible for the administration and daily business operations of the City.

City Commissioners elected prior to the 2018 general election for districts three (3) and five (5) shall serve three-year terms of office. Commencing in the year 2018, general elections for City Commissioners shall be held in even-numbered years and should to the extent practicable occur to coincide with county-wide elections. Commencing with the general election of 2018, City Commissioners shall be elected for a term of four (4) years.  Four-year terms of office for districts three (3) and five (5) shall commence in 2018 following the election for such districts.  Four-year terms of office for districts one (1), two (2), and four (4) shall commence in 2020 following the election for such districts.  A person appointed or elected to fill a vacant office on the City Commission shall be bound to the term of office of such person's predecessor.  A partial term of office being served by a person upon appointment or election to fill a vacant office on the City Commission shall not count towards the term limits.  No person shall serve or be eligible to serve more than three (3) four (4) year terms of office on the City Commission.

 The Mayor is elected from among the Commission Members at the first (1st) Meeting in May. The Deputy Mayor rotates among the five (5) Commission Districts in ascending numerical order at the second meeting in November. The City Commission legislatively establishes policies in the form of ordinances or resolutions, which determine the laws, proceedings, and service levels for the City.

The Mayor presides at all Commission meetings, which take place on the first (1st) and third (3rd) Mondays of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Chambers.