Alexandria is one of the largest cities in the state and the capital of Fairfax County. It’s located in Central Virginia, right across the Potomac River from Washington, Drc. Alexandria has a population of more than 230,000 and it’s the second-largest city in Virginia. The city is known for its historic architecture and cultural attractions, including the Virginia State Capitol, George Washington Masonic Memorial, and the arboretum and botanical gardens at Old Towne, which houses a variety of historical buildings.  Read on to learn more about the Alexandria, Virginia government and the various departments in charge of maintaining public services for the city’s residents.

What is the Alexandria, Virginia City Government?

The city of Alexandria is organized into eight departments, each with different responsibilities and a different governing body. The departments of the city of Alexandria are the: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Police Department, Fire Department, Streets Department, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation. You can learn more here.

Alexandria, Virginia Government Structure

• City Council: The Alexandria city council is the legislative body for the city of Alexandria. The council is made up of 12 members elected from a single district. Each council member serves a four-year term and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Every election has a primary election for council members, and a general election is held if no one receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary election.
• City Manager: The city manager is appointed by the city council and has significant powers of administration. The city manager is responsible for the city’s budget, hiring and firing department heads, and approving contracts. The city manager helps the council set city policy, including the creation of city ordinances.
• City Attorney: The city attorney is employed by the city council and is responsible for advising the council on matters of law and seeking legal advice as needed.
• Police Department: The Alexandria, Virginia police department is responsible for enforcing laws and keeping the peace in the city. The police department is also responsible for traffic control, issuing parking tickets, and guarding city property.
• Fire Department: The Alexandria, Virginia fire department is responsible for protecting the lives and property of the city.
• Streets Department: The streets department is responsible for keeping the city’s roads clear and safe for drivers.
• Public Works: The public works department is responsible for maintaining city parks and buildings and maintaining the city’s infrastructure.
• Parks and Recreation: The parks and recreation department is responsible for maintaining many of Alexandria’s public parks and for operating various programs and activities for city residents.

Alexandria, Virginia City Council

The Alexandria city council is the legislative body for the city of Alexandria. The council is made up of 12 members elected from a single district. Each council member serves a four-year term and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Every election has a primary election for council members, and a general election is held if no one receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary election. The Alexandria city council is responsible for setting city policy, approving the city budget, and passing legislation that affects the city’s residents, such as street closures, regulations, and development ordinances. The council also appoints members to boards and commissions and approves appointments made by the city manager. More information here.

Alexandria, Virginia Mayor’s Office

The mayor of Alexandria is elected for a two-year term. The mayor’s office is responsible for the city’s day-to-day operations, including responding to emergencies and making sure city services are running smoothly. The mayor is responsible for appointing members to the city council, approving the city budget and city ordinances, and overseeing the city manager. The mayor also presides over certain committee meetings and serves as city representatives to the regional governments, such as the counties in the metropolitan Washington area. The mayor is responsible for keeping the city’s infrastructure maintained and up to code, and for making sure the city’s utilities are operating as they should be. The mayor also oversees the city’s public works and parks and recreation departments.

Alexandria, Virginia City Council

The Alexandria city council is the legislative body for the city of Alexandria. The council is made up of 12 members elected from a single district. Each council member serves a four-year term and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Every election has a primary election for council members, and a general election is held if no one receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary election. The Alexandria city council is responsible for setting city policy, approving the city budget, and passing legislation that affects the city’s residents, such as street closures, regulations, and development ordinances. The council also appoints members to boards and commissions and approves appointments made by the city manager.

Alexandria, Virginia City Council

The Alexandria city council is the legislative body for the city of Alexandria. The council is made up of 12 members elected from a single district. Each council member serves a four-year term and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Every election has a primary election for council members, and a general election is held if no one receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary election. The Alexandria city council is responsible for setting city policy, approving the city budget, and passing legislation that affects the city’s residents, such as street closures, regulations, and development ordinances. The council also appoints members to boards and commissions and approves appointments made by the city manager.

Alexandria, Virginia City Council

The Alexandria city council is the legislative body for the city of Alexandria. The council is made up of 12 members elected from a single district. Each council member serves a four-year term and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Every election has a primary election for council members, and a general election is held if no one receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary election. The Alexandria city council is responsible for setting city policy, approving the city budget, and passing legislation that affects the city’s residents, such as street closures, regulations, and development ordinances. The council also appoints members to boards and commissions and approves appointments made by the city manager.

Alexandria, Virginia City Council

The Alexandria city council is the legislative body for the city of Alexandria. The council is made up of 12 members elected from a single district. Each council member serves a four-year term and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Every election has a primary election for council members, and a general election is held if no one receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary election. The Alexandria city council is responsible for setting city policy, approving the city budget, and passing legislation that affects the city’s residents, such as street closures, regulations, and development ordinances. The council also appoints members to boards and commissions and approves appointments made by the city manager.

Alexandria, Virginia City Council

The Alexandria city council is the legislative body for the city of Alexandria. The council is made up of 12 members elected from a single district. Each council member serves a four-year term and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Every election has a primary election for council members, and a general election is held if no one receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary election. The Alexandria city council is responsible for setting city policy, approving the city budget, and passing legislation that affects the city’s residents, such as street closures, regulations, and development ordinances. The council also appoints members to boards and commissions and approves appointments made by the city manager.

Alexandria, Virginia City Council

The Alexandria city council is the legislative body for the city of Alexandria. The council is made up of 12 members elected from a single district. Each council member serves a four-year term and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Every election has a primary election for council members, and a general election is held if no one receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary election. The Alexandria city council is responsible for setting city policy, approving the city budget, and passing legislation that affects the city’s residents, such as street closures, regulations, and development ordinances. The council also appoints members to boards and commissions and approves appointments made.