Since 1960, the City of Newnan has operated under the Council-Manager form of government. The City Council sets policy and relies on the City Manager to implement policy direction. The City Council consists of a Mayor and six Council members. There are 3 districts with Posts A and B in each district. Mayor Keith Brady sits over all the districts which means the city at large. They serve four year staggered terms. The City Council represents the interests of citizens of Newnan by adopting public policies; determining the City's mission, scope of service, and tax levels; passing ordinances; approving new projects and programs; and ratifying the budget.

Appointed by and reporting to the City Council, the City Manager serves as the Chief Administrative Officer and is charged with the implementation of City Council adopted policies and directives and the day-to-day operations of the City. The City Manager is responsible for hiring directors to oversee each department.

The City employs approximately 300 people and is organized into five functions: General Government, Public Safety, Public Works, Community Development and Other Services. General Government consists of City Clerk, Human Resources, Finance, Information Technologies, and Miscellaneous. Public Safety includes the Police and Fire Departments. Public Works involves the Street, Garage, Sanitation, Engineering, and Cemetery departments. Community Development is comprised of Planning and Zoning, Building Inspection, Building Maintenance, and Beautification. Other Services is the Newnan Carnegie Library, Business Development and Special Events, and Main Street.

Also important in the operation of the city are the numerous boards and commissions. Preliminary issues are heard and considered before being presented to the Mayor and Council. Over one hundred and thirty citizen volunteers serve on the various Boards, Commissions, and Authorities for the City of Newnan including the Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission, Downtown Development Authority, Ethics Commission, Housing Authority, Keep Newnan Beautiful Commission, Newnan Cultural Arts Commission, Newnan Convention Center Authority, Newnan Coweta Library Board, Newnan Development Authority, Newnan Hospital Authority, Parks Commission, Retirement Board, Tree Commission, and Water and Light Commission. Members of these Boards, Commissions, and Authorities aid in the effectiveness of local government.

City government is truly government of, by, and for the people. The people who are making the decisions about our community are neighbors, business owners, and community leaders. City government is administered for and by its citizens and is dependent upon public commitment to carry out its responsibilities. City government is the closest to most citizens and the one with the most direct daily impact upon its residents.