The City of Gainesville operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Commission is composed of seven members: a mayor elected at-large, two city commissioners elected at-large, and four commissioners elected from specific single-member districts. The commission acts as the legislative body, setting policy, passing ordinances, and approving the budget.
Daily operations and administrative duties are overseen by a City Manager, who is appointed by the City Commission. Because Gainesville is the county seat of Alachua County, it also hosts the county's administrative headquarters, courts, and major governmental services. The city is known for progressive local governance, frequently focusing on environmental sustainability, renewable energy, and civil rights protections.