On February 22, 1881, Grand Forks was incorporated into a city. Grand Forks chose the Mayor-Council form of city government, which consists of an elected Mayor and Councilmen. The Mayor acts as the presiding officer of the City Council. Under this system, the municipal judge is the only other elected official. All other officials are appointed.

Mayors serve as the chief executive of the city during their four year term. Their powers and duties include:

-To preside over meetings of the council. The mayor is a non-voting member unless there is a tie.

-To suppress disorder and keep the peace.

-To enforce all laws and ordinances.

-To sign or veto ordinances passed by the council. The mayor can veto specific items in an appropriation ordinance without killing the entire ordinance.

-To make appointments and remove officers.

The Mayor's Office is responsible for four city agencies: Personnel, Legal Service, Planning, and Budget Analyst and Grants. These four agencies direct the other various departments of city government, such as the police and public works.

(Lloyd B. Omdahl. "City Government," in 1985-87 Governing North Dakota and the Constitution of North Dakota. pp. 144-147. Grand Forks: University of North Dakota, 1985.)