The City of Sanford consists of the merger of the two incorporated towns of Jonesboro and Sanford a new municipal charter was adopted and the official name became the City of Sanford. The city is operated under the Council-Manager form of government, which was adopted in 1944. Policymaking and legislative authority is vested in a City Council consisting of seven Council Members and a Mayor who are elected in odd-numbered years. The City Manager is employed by the Council and is responsible to the City Council for the administration of all affairs of the municipality. The City Manager appoints the Department Heads and supervises and coordinates the activities of the departments. The City was governed by seven Aldermen living in separate residence wards until 1991 when the City's wards were redesigned into five wards with two Aldermen being elected at-large.