The City of Portage operates under a Council/Manager form of government. The City Council consists of seven members including the Mayor and the Mayor Pro-Tempore. Council members are elected to four year terms staggered every two years (three Council members elected every two years). The Mayor is elected every two years. The City Council is responsible for adopting and amending city laws and ordinances, determining city policies and standards, and authorizing the annual city budget. The Council also determines city tax millage rates, utility rates, approves contracts and agreements for the city and directs the City Manager. Council meetings are held twice a month on Tuesdays, at 7:30 p.m., in the Portage City Hall Council Chambers. 

The City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city and is the chief policy advisor to the City Council.  Citizens are encouraged to contact the City Administration with concerns or complaints about city services by calling Complaint Resolution at (269) 329-4404 or by using the Report It! function.

2011-2013 Portage City Council

	Mayor Peter J. Strazdas (269) 327-4478 peter.strazdas@portagemi.gov On Council Since 2001 Term Expires: 2013		Mayor Pro Tem Claudette Reid (269) 491-9725 claudette.reid@portagemi.gov On Council Since 2005 Term Expires: 2013
	Councilmember Elizabeth Campbell (269) 321-9383 campbell4portage@yahoo.com On Council Since 2007 Term Expires: 2015		Councilmember Jim Pearson (269) 327-9136 jimpearson4@gmail.com On Council Since 2011 Term Expires: 2015
	Councilmember Patricia Randall (269) 324-7779 patricia.randall@portagemi.gov On Council Since 2009 Term Expires: 2015		Councilmember Ed Sackley (269) 323-8119 edsackley@msn.com On Council since 2005 Term Expires: 2013
	Councilmember Terry R. Urban (269) 323-8160 terry.urban@portagemi.gov On Council Since 1997 Term Expires: 2013