Today, the University enjoys a reputation as one of the best public universities in the United States. The Town has a Council-Manager form of government. The Town Council is comprised of a Mayor and eight-member Council. All Council Members serve four-year terms. The Mayor and four Council Members are elected every two years.
All elections are on a non-partisan basis.
The Council appoints the Town Manager and Town Attorney. The Mayor presides over the Council meetings and has full voting privileges. The Town Manager is the chief administrative officer of the Town. Town departments are responsible to the Town Manager for the provision of public services. The Code contains the Charter of the Town of Chapel Hill, and lists the duties and responsibilities of its elected officials, Town officials, Town departments, and advisory boards.