To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Our review process.
The twin city of Winston-Salem has the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history. Mayor Allen Joines has served the town for 22 years and has been instrumental in many of the changes and growth Winston-Salem has seen. But he has not accomplished this on his own. The government is comprised of many individuals who work to improve our city.
Photo Courtesy of The Mayor’s Office
The Government Of Winston-Salem
The city of Winston-Salem has a council-manager system of governing. The eight city council members are elected and are the city’s legislative body. They adopt the city budget, levy taxes, and make or change laws and policies. A city manager is appointed by the council and is responsible for the daily municipal operation. He keeps the city running. The manager also plans and implements the budget and hires city employees.
The mayor presides over the council meetings but has no vote unless there is a tie. He is the representative for the city in municipal ceremonies and on the state, national, and international levels. The mayor appoints members of citizen advisory boards and commissions, with the input and consent of the council, assigns agenda items to committees and assists the council in setting goals.
Who’s The Mayor Of Winston-Salem? Meet Allen Joines
Mayor Allen Joines assumed office in 2001 and was re-elected in 2005, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2020. He began his career in Winston-Salem as Assistant to the City Manager in 1971. His other positions include Director of Evaluation, Public Safety Coordinator, Director of Development, and Deputy City Manager. Joines is responsible for growth, creating new jobs, and economic development. He has also worked to combat poverty and homelessness. The city added 500 new affordable housing units in 2022 and has plans and funding for 750 more in 2023. As Mayor, he has built on his experience in economic development to recruit and expand more companies and create thousands of new jobs. He has also focused on bringing our community together and bringing about racial healing.
A City That Cares
The mayor, council, and city manager are not the only people who make our city great. It’s also the 1503 employees who work hard to make this a city we can be proud to live in. The government of Winston-Salem cares about what is important to citizens. One way they have established to communicate is City Link, a means for people to ask questions or report issues. Read all about City Link 311 and how to use it.
What service does the city provide that you appreciate? Let us know in the comments.
