According to Kentucky Revised Statute 83A.150, Bowling Green has a City Manager system of government. The Board of Commissioners has complete control over both the executive and legislative branches (all judicial functions are under the jurisdiction of state government). The Board of Commissioners (Board) chooses a City Manager, who is responsible for carrying out the Board’s decisions and overseeing the City’s day-to-day operations.

The Commissioners serve two-year terms while the Mayor serves a four-year term. The Mayor has the statutory responsibility to preside at Board meetings, recommend appointments to designated boards and is the signatory of authorized documents on behalf of the City.

Board of Commissioners meetings occur on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 4:30 pm. Proposals for action are placed on the agenda by the City Manager or members of the Board. At the meetings, members of the Board discuss and deliberate items on the agenda, then approve, modify, or reject the proposals by a majority vote. The City Manager then carries out the decisions of the Board.