Margate became a Town in May of 1955. On June 22, 1961, Margate became incorporated as a City. At that time, Margate had a Mayor/Council form of government. In March of 1977, the form of government was changed to City Manager/Commission. With this form of government, the City Manager is the chief administrative officer of the City and is responsible for administering the affairs and the day-to-day operation of the City. Our City Manager is responsible to the City Commission and carries out the policies set by the Commission.

The City Commission is the legislative body of our government and is comprised of five members who are elected "at large" by the voters of Margate.  The Commissioners serve a four-year term of office. Starting in 2012, the City elections will be held in the month of November, in conjunction with Broward County elections.  Every November the five Commissioners elect from among themselves a Mayor and a Vice Mayor to serve a one-year term. The Mayor serves as the ceremonial head and as the Chairman of the City Commission for meetings.

The most important document concerning our City government is the "City Charter". The following is an example of what our Charter contains:

• Type of government
• Commission terms of office and filing requirements
• Duties of elected officials
• Duties of City Manager and City Clerk
• Sets forth budget and fiscal requirements for the City
• Provides for certain City boards (volunteers who are appointed by the Commission)
• Contains City boundaries

Meeting Information:

The Regular City Commission meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday at City Hall in the Commission Chambers and start at 7:00 PM. The first meeting of the month starts at 6:30 P.M. and the second meeting of the month starts at 7:00 P.M. Special meetings and Workshop meetings are called for as needed.  Historically, the City Commission goes on break in the summer and again for the winter holidays.  In order to meet the requirement of Section 3.17 of the Margate Charter, which is to hold no less than two City Commission meeting per month, the City Commission meets the first two Wednesdays in July and the last two Wednesdays in August.  Likewise, the City Commission meets the first two Wednesdays in December, and the last two Wednesdays in January.

All City meetings (Commission, Board and Committee) are open to the public.  Notices of these meetings are posted on the bulletin board located on the front of City Hall.   In Florida we have a law known as "THE SUNSHINE LAW" that requires open meetings where proper notice must be given by governmental agencies.

We welcome your attendance at any of our meetings and encourage you to see your government at work.

2023 Regular City Commission Meeting Schedule

Current City Numbers

Margate has grown considerably since 1967 when there were approximately 5,700 residents. As of the 2020 Census, the City had a population of 58,712 residents.