In Virginia, cities are completely independent of the counties that surround them. Therefore, the City of Charlottesville operates under a Council-Manager form of government, entirely separate from Albemarle County.
The Charlottesville City Council consists of five members elected at-large for staggered four-year terms. The Council members elect one of their peers to serve as Mayor for a two-year term. The Mayor acts as the ceremonial head of the city and chairs council meetings, but day-to-day administrative operations are handled by a City Manager, who is appointed by the Council.
Politically, Charlottesville is a strong Democratic stronghold in Central Virginia. The city is represented in the Virginia General Assembly and is part of Virginia's 5th Congressional District for federal representation. Public services, including police, fire, and public works, are managed by the city, though regional cooperation with Albemarle County exists for certain utilities and transit systems.