The City of Carbondale is a zoned, home-rule municipality that operates under a council-manager government with a mayor and six city council members elected at large for four-year staggered terms. The City Manager, a professional the City Council hires, appoints the department heads. The City provides police, fire, and development services, public works, and a public library. In FY 2021, the City created a Parks and Recreation Department and operates Turley Park, Tatum Heights Park, Evergreen Park, and the Super Block. Numerous boards and commissions allow citizen participation, bringing more citizens into civic activities.