City of Killeen

In 1949, the City of Killeen adopted its City Charter, instituting the council-manager system that it operates under today. This system positions the mayor as the head elected official, though without administrative responsibilities. The mayor leads the seven-member City Council, which is responsible for setting policy. The city's day-to-day operations are managed by a city manager, who is appointed by the council.

Killeen's residents vote for a mayor and three council members at large, while the remaining four council seats are filled by representatives from the city's specific districts, elected by the constituents of those districts. All officials, including the mayor and council members, serve two-year terms and are subject to a limit of three consecutive terms. The city conducts nonpartisan elections every May. Elections for the mayor and at-large council positions occur in even-numbered years, whereas district council members are elected in odd-numbered years.