General Information

The Detroit City government consists of three main offices the Mayor, the City Council, and the City Clerk. The Detroit City government, which was established in 1824, is a rare full time city legislative body with all positions serving four year terms.   
The city holds nonpartisan elections for all office positions the year after the presidential election, the next election will be in November of 2009.  The nine City Council members are elected at large, meaning that the city is not broken up into districts with a member representing the district; instead each member represented the entire City of Detroit.  The Mayor and City Clerk are also elected at large. The

Council Member who receives the largest number of votes is elected the President of the Council, and the Member who receives the second highest number of votes is elected President Pro Tempore.

The Mayor, City Council Members, and the City Clerk are required to be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the United States, and a resident of the City of Detroit.
The City Council Members main objective is to review and approve budgets, city ordinances and significant contracts. 

The City Clerk is in charge of supervising elections as well as maintaining the Record of the City Council and the City Code of Ordinances.   

History

The Detroit City government was a predominantly white government until the election of Coleman Young in 1973.  Young was the first Black Mayor of Detroit.  After young narrowly beat out the Police Commissioner of the time John Nichols, an increasing number of Black Detroit citizens began to run for city office.  Young served as for five terms, twenty years, from 1974 to 1993.  Young, often suspected of taking kickbacks although no evidence was found, worked to secure Federal funding for the City of Detroit.  Young also negotiated with General Motors to build a new assembly plant for economic growth.  Dennis Archer became the second African American mayor of Detroit after Young retired.  Archer served as mayor from 1993 to 2001, working diligently to repair relationships with the surrounding suburbs of Detroit.  He was also a strong supporter of the revitalization of Detroit’s Downtown.  Archer was succeeded by the current mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. 

City Mayor
Kwame M. Kilpatrick

Elected in 2001 as Detroit's 60th Mayor, Kipatrick has made investing in the city's neighborhoods and downtown a key issue. Before being elected as mayor, Kilpatrick was the first African American and youngest person to be elected the leader of either political party in Michigan state history as the leader of the House Democrats.

Council President Pro-Tempore
Monica Conyers

Elected President Pro-Tempore in 2001 it is Conyers mission to "make city government accessible to the citizens of Detroit as the Council works to deliver quality city services to the people of Detroit." Conyers is married to U.S. congressmen, John Conyers.

Council Member
JoAnn Watson

Serving her second term in office, Watson focuses on issues which include accountability, equity, and respect for all citizens. Before becoming a Council Member, Watson was a journalist and hosted both radio and television programs.

Council Member
Sheila M. Cokrel

Currently serving her fourth term on the City Council, Cokrel's mission is "to provide effective, community oriented government and leadership to the citizens of Detroit."  Cokrel has worked to expand business center in the city by supporting local, minority owned businesses that promoted economic development in neighborhoods. 

Council Member
Kwame Kenyatta

Elected to the Detroit City Council in 2005, Kenyatta's focus is to provide shelter for the people living on the streets of Detroit, and to also allocate funding for counseling, job training, housing, and healthcare. He also supports economic development projects that are designed to promote the overall development of the community.

Council Member
Alberta Tinsley-Talabi

Elected to the City Council in 1993, Tinsley-Talabi focuses on answering complaints and petitions from city members regarding city operations and departments. She also reviews and approves contracts submitted by the Mayor, and the Mayors departments.

Council Member
Martha Reeves

Elected to the Detroit City Council in 2005, it is Reevs' mission to provide leadership to meet the collective basic needs of Detroit citizens. She also focuses on increasing tourism and works towards creating more youth activities.

Council Member
Brenda Jones

Elected in 2005, Jones works to address the everyday issues that Detroit citizens and business owners have. She focuses on improving neighborhoods and schools safety conditions, as well as preserving affordable housing.

Council Member
Barbara-Rose Collins

Collins was the first African American woman elected to Congress from Michigan. She served from 1991 to 1996 and has served on the City Council. Since then,. Collins does not have any focus areas but, works diligently for women, children, and black minority groups.