The City of Bismarck’s City Commission has four City Commissioners, one President of the Commission, the Mayor. Commissioners are elected for four-year terms and are limited to three consecutive terms. Once elected, the board represents the City as a whole while exercising both legislative and executive powers to govern the City of Bismarck. Each member of the Commission is required to attend City Commission Meetings and be an advocate for their assigned portfolio. 

The board of city commissioners has the sole authority to pass and adopt rules and regulations concerning the organization, management,  and operation of all the city departments and the other agencies created by it for the administration of the city's affairs.