The City of Columbus, Ohio has been called one the the best places to live, work and raise a family. The Mayor, elected officials and employees of the city government work everyday to maintain that high standard of service and quality of life for all Columbus residents, to keep Columbus neighborhoods vibrant, and to support the economic development of the entire Central Ohio region. The state legislature established Columbus as a city in 1812. The city is a home-rule municipal corporation operating under the laws of Ohio. The City Charter, its constitution, can only be amended by a majority of the city’s voters. The City of Columbus is administered by a Mayor, a seven-member City Council, the City Auditor and City Attorney. These officials are all elected for four-year terms on an at-large basis. The Mayor and four Council members are elected in an odd numbered year. Three Council members, the City Auditor, and the City Attorney are elected in the following odd numbered year. The Charter provides for appointments and elections of successors to these officials if they should, for any reason, vacate their office. All are chosen through a non-partisan process. The Mayor appoints directors for the Departments of Public Safety, Public Service, Public Utilities, Finance and Management, Development, Building and Zoning Services, Human Resources, Technology, Equal Business Opportunity and Community Relations. The remaining four city department directors are appointed by and report to independent commissions. These are the Recreation and Parks Department Director, the Health Commissioner, the Civil Service Executive Secretary and the Secretary of the Sinking fund. The City Treasurer and Clerk to the Council are appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of the Council.