Common Council

Government Resource Guide

Included below is an overview and key information for city government, the Common Council, and Boards, Commissions and Committees.

City Government

• City of Madison: Vision, Mission & Service Philosophy
• Overview of City Government
• Qualifications: City Officers, Members of Commissions, & Employees
• Budget Process & Citizen Access
• Open Meetings Law

Common Council

• Members and Staff Contact Information
• Alder District Map
• Run for Council
• Madison General Ordinances (MGO): applicable sections
• Common Council Meetings: ORDER OF BUSINESS (MGO 2.04)
• CODE OF ETHICS (MGO 3.35)
• STANDING RULES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMON COUNCIL (MGO 2)

Boards, Commissions & Committees (BCCs)

• List of Current BCCs for the City of Madison
• Apply to serve on a BCC
• Madison General Ordinances: BCC Procedures (MGO 33)

Flag of Madison, Wisconsin

The Madison, Wisconsin flag consists of a light blue background bisected from lower left to upper right by a white band. These symbolize Lake Mendota and Lake Monona and the isthmus between them. In the center of the flag is a black cross that symbolizes the four lakes (Mendota, Monona, Wingra and Waubesa) as well as the State Capitol. The gold circle symbolizes the dome of the State Capitol.

The original flag was designed by Rick and Dennis Stone, members of the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps, with the help of John Price, their color guard instructor. It was adopted by the municipal government on April 12, 1962. In 2018, the flag was modified by removing the sun symbol of the Zia Pueblo people and replacing it with a gold circle. The redesigned flag was adopted as the Official Madison City Flag by the Common Council on July 24, 2018.