The City of White Plains is governed by a Common Council which consists of the Mayor and six council members. The seven-member Common Council is the city’s legislative body. The Council's responsibilities include:
- Adopting a budget
- Appropriating monies
- Enacting laws
- Granting franchises
- Selling or leasing properties
- Approving Council appointments to boards and commissions and other appointments as required by law
Council members are elected at large and serve 4-year terms.