The City of Dowagiac is a home rule city operating with a Council/Manager form of government. The Council/Manager form of government was adopted in 1964.

The City Council is the legislative and policy-making body for the City. The Council consists of six council members elected from three wards and the Mayor who is elected at large. All serve four-year staggered terms.

The City Clerk and City Treasurer are also elected at large. The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and is in charge of day-to-day operations of the city. All other employees report to the City Manager.

The City Staff consists of eight directors for the following departments:

	Police		Finance
	Fire		Human Resources
	Public Services		Downtown Development Authority
	Building and Inspection		Community and Economic Development

Dowagiac is a full service city providing, police, fire, parks, water, sewer, electricity, streets, airport, cemetery, inspection and code enforcement. Information for each of these departments can be found by going to the City Departments & Services portion of this website.

The general fund operating budget for Fiscal Year 2005 is $3,184,873.

The City Hall, which was constructed in 1998, houses the administrative functions of the City. It is located at 241 S. Front Street.

The City can be contacted at (269) 782-2195.