The City of Bartow has a commission-manager form of government, in which five elected city commissioners set policy and adopt ordinances, and hire a city manager to carry them out.

Commissioners serve three-year terms. Three must live in the district from which they are elected, and two may live anywhere in the city.

All registered voters who live in the city are eligible to vote for all five positions. The commissioners elect a mayor and a vice-mayor from among their number, and historically have rotated the position among themselves.

The commission meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. Most meetings are preceded by a work session that begins at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise announced.

All meetings of the commission and the airport authority, including work sessions, are open to the public under Florida’s open meetings, or “Government in the Sunshine,” law.

The city commission appoints 16 boards and commissions, some of which act in an advisory capacity to the city commission, and some of which have independent authority.

The City of Bartow operates under a budget of more than $59.9 million.