States, cities & tribes
city council
The elected legislative body of a municipality: passes ordinances, adopts the budget, sets tax rates, and approves major contracts and land use decisions.
In full
Councils are elected by district, at large, or in a mix, and the choice affects whose interests get represented. Council meetings are open, take public comment, and are usually where a resident has the most direct access to a decisionmaker. Agendas and minutes are public records, generally posted in advance under state open meetings law.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.