As an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Alexandria functions entirely separately from any surrounding counties. It operates under a Council-Manager form of government, a system it adopted in 1922.
* **City Council:** The legislative body consists of a Mayor and six City Council members, all elected at-large for three-year terms. * **City Manager:** Appointed by the City Council, the City Manager serves as the chief administrative officer, overseeing the day-to-day operations of city departments and a substantial municipal workforce. * **Public Services:** The city provides a full suite of municipal services, including a dedicated police department, fire department, public library system, and human services. Alexandria is represented in the Virginia General Assembly and falls within Virginia's 8th Congressional District.