The City of Punta Gorda has a City Council/City Manager form of government. The City Council is the legislative branch of City government and operates in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the City of Punta Gorda. The City Council is responsible for enacting ordinances and resolutions that the City Manager of Punta Gorda administers as the Administrative Officer of City government.

Five Councilmembers are elected by the voters of Punta Gorda to serve for a two-year term. Councilmembers are elected at-large in staggered terms. Elections are held in November. The Mayor and Vice-Mayor are elected by the City Council at the first meeting held after an election.

The Mayor presides at all meetings and performs duties delegated to the Mayor by the City Council. City Council meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month, at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers (located on the first floor of City Hall). Meetings are open to the public. In addition, meetings are livestreamed on YouTube (access the video link and video archives from our home page) and also broadcast on Charlotte County TV20 on Sundays at 12 p.m.

In addition to their regular duties on City Council, each year Councilmembers accept appointments to various boards and committees requesting City Council representation.