The City of Fremont is nationally recognized as an innovative leader in municipal government.  Under the council-manager form of government, four City Council members and the Mayor are elected at large to serve overlapping four-year terms.  The City Council is the legislative body responsible for the City's overall policies and direction.  The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the City.

The City's total operating budget of $130.5 million reflects a regular full-time staff of nearly 900 employees. Fremont provides an extensive array of services including police, fire, planning, building, engineering, waste reduction services, recreation and maintenance services, human services such as youth and family counseling and a variety of senior services, as well as the traditional internal support services.