The Naples City Council is a seven-member governing body consisting of a mayor and six city council members. At its first regular meeting after each general municipal election, the council elects one of its members as vice-mayor.
Members are elected in nonpartisan staggered elections by all the voters who reside in the City. They may serve for a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms.
This post provides an overview of the Naples City Council’s form of government, the duties of the mayor and city council, compensation, elections, meetings, and more.
Form of Government
The City of Naples has a council-manager form of government. Under this form, residents elect a council and a mayor to adopt legislation and set policy. This elected body then hires a manager with broad executive authority to carry out those policies and oversee the local government’s operations.
Duties of the Mayor
In a council-manager government, the mayor presides at council meetings and has a voice and vote. As the city’s ceremonial head, s/he may be an important political figure but has little role in municipal administration. Instead, s/he serves as a liaison between the city council, the city manager, and the city attorney when the council is not in session. Her/his instructions to the city manager and city attorney “shall have the effect of a council decision except where disapproved by the city council in regular or special session.”
Read the duties of the mayor in the City Charter here.
Duties of City Council
Under the council-manager form, the City Council is the legislative body and the community’s policymakers. Power is centralized in this body, which approves the budget and adopts local laws and regulations.
The City Council is also responsible for:
- directing and overseeing the execution of the powers of the City, including building and maintaining public improvements;
- providing an adequate water supply;
- providing for waste management and disposal;
- providing for public safety;
- regulating airports, the operation of airports by others, and the flight of aircraft over the city; and
- preventing the erosion of beaches and waterways within city limits.
City council members also focus on the community’s big-picture goals, such as community growth and sustainability.
Subject to the Sunshine Law
Members of the City Council are subject to Florida’s Sunshine Law. This means they cannot communicate with each other privately on an issue that is to be voted on by the City Council.
Compensation of City Council
A Blue Ribbon Committee of seven Naples residents is appointed at least every four years to study and make recommendations to the City Council about their compensation and benefits. (See City Charter Sec. 2.5(2).)
In August 2022, the mayor and council members adopted the recommendations of the Committee appointed in 2021.
- The salary of the mayor was increased to $54,100 per year from $50,000 per year, plus a stipend of $400 per month.
- The salary of a council member was increased to $43,300 per year from $40,000 per year, plus a stipend of $300 per month.
City Council Elections
Elections of the mayor and city council are held on the first Tuesday in February of each even-numbered year, except in years that are a multiple of four, when they are held on the same day as the State of Florida Presidential Preference Primary.
City Council Meetings
Meetings of the Naples City Council are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month, except for a summer recess, usually beginning mid-June and ending mid-August.
City Council workshop meetings are generally held the Monday preceding the second regular City Council meeting each month.
View agendas for upcoming meetings and minutes and annotated agendas for past meetings on the City Clerk’s web page here.
The City broadcasts live meetings and replays on local cable outlets (Comcast Cable 98, Century Link 95, and Summit Cable 98). They may also be viewed on the City Clerk’s web page here.
All Council meetings are open to the public, except “closed session” meeting items. Members of the public may comment on agenda items at Council meetings.
City of Naples Budget
The City of Naples’s operating budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 totals $197.19 million. It was developed using a millage rate of 1.17 mills.
Read the Adopted Budget for FY 2023-24 here.
City Boundaries
Only City residents may vote in City Council elections, and not all Collier County residents with a Naples mailing address are City residents.
To learn if you live within the city boundaries, click on the Naples Interactive Map (below, right) and enter your address in the “Find address or place” box.
Read the bios of the current mayor and city council members on the Meet the City Council webpage here.
One seat, vacated as of Dec. 31, 2023, will remain vacant until filled in the next City Council election on Mar. 19, 2024.
Jay Boodheshwar has been the City Manager since May 2022.
Read Boodheshwar’s bio here.
Resources
- City of Naples, FL, Website
- Naples City Council and Mayor
- City Council Meeting Agendas, Minutes, Video Recordings
- City Council Voting Record
- City Clerk – Elections, Candidate Handbooks & Forms
- City of Naples Charter
- City of Naples Annual Reports
- Sunshine Amendment and Code of Ethics
- Florida League of Cities Municipal Officials Manual