Each commissioner serves a three-year term.
Elections are nonpartisan.
The City Commission elects, by majority ballot, at the beginning of each term, an Acting Mayor. The Acting Mayor is vested with all of the powers and charged with the performance of all of the duties of the Mayor at all times, places, and events whenever the Mayor is unable to act. The City Commission is the representative body of the City of Ponca City and has the responsibility of determining community needs and establishing immediate and long-range policies. The City Commission controls and supervises all City Departments. Enforcing all laws and ordinances of the City, as well as the resolutions and orders of the Board of Commissioners.