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DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW
MAYOR & COUNCIL
2017-2021 FINANCIAL PLAN
Surrey City Council is comprised of the Mayor and eight Councillors who provide
leadership and vision for the City as the governing body.
Municipal elections are held every four years, with the most recent election having been
held in November of 2014. Council meetings, held two or three times every month,
occur on Monday afternoons and evenings in the Council Chambers at Surrey City Hall.
These meetings provide residents, community groups and businesses with an
opportunity to appear before Council in the form of public delegation to voice concerns
or recommendations and participate in the law-making process.
The most important goals of City Council are to create prosperous, safe, sustainable,
clean, and active communities.
Key initiatives include: Municipal Government responsibilities as outlined in the
Community Charter, the Local Government Act and other provincial statutes as well as
the adoption of by-laws, policies and levying of taxes for these purposes.
Council also has the responsibility to obtain, release and manage City property, assets
and operations as delegated through the City Manager.
Council members are involved at all levels of government, often serving on local,
regional, provincial and federal committees, boards and commissions.
The Mayor has civic authority to establish various committees and may appoint both
Council and civilian members. Once established, committees are primarily deliberative
and bring forth their recommendations to City Council for adoption.
Altogether, there are several standing committees, select committees, boards,
commissions and task forces appointed and steered by Council Members.
As elected officials, the Mayor and City Council use their authority to establish and enact
sustainable policies that aide in promoting the overall growth, development and
operation of Surrey.
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