(a) 
The executive and administrative power of Anchorage is vested in the mayor. The mayor is elected at-large for a three-year term.
(b) 
A candidate for the office of mayor:
(1) 
Shall be a qualified voter of Anchorage; and
(2) 
Shall be a resident of Anchorage for at least two years immediately preceding the candidate's election.
(c) 
The mayor shall remain a resident of Anchorage while in office.
(d) 
A person who has served as mayor for two consecutive terms may not be re-elected to that office until one full term has intervened.
(e) 
The compensation of the mayor shall be fixed by the commission on salaries and emoluments, and may not be reduced during the mayor's term of office without the mayor's consent.
(AO No. 2013-93, prop. 8, 4-1-2014)
(a) 
The mayor shall appoint all heads of municipal departments and the chief medical officer of the municipality, subject to confirmation by the assembly, on the basis of professional qualifications. Persons appointed by the mayor serve at the pleasure of the mayor.
(b) 
The mayor may participate in all assembly meetings to the same extent as an assembly member, but may not vote.
(c) 
The mayor has the veto power. The mayor also has line item veto power. The mayor may, by veto, strike or reduce items in a budget or appropriation measure. The veto must be exercised and submitted to the assembly with a written explanation within seven days of passage of the ordinance affected. The assembly, by two-thirds majority vote of the total membership, may override a veto any time within 21 days after its exercise.
(d) 
In case of emergency, the mayor has the power of a peace officer and may exercise that power as chief executive officer to prevent disorder and to preserve the public health. The assembly by resolution may declare that the emergency no longer exists.
(AO No. 90-82(S), prop. 6, 10-2-1990; AO No. 2013-93, prop. 8, 4-1-2014; AO No. 2023-128, § 1 (prop. 2), 4-2-2024)
(a) 
There shall be a manager appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the assembly. The manager serves at the pleasure of the mayor. The manager is selected solely on the basis of professional qualifications. The manager need not be a resident of the municipality at the time of appointment but must be a resident while in office.
(b) 
The manager is responsible to the mayor for the overall conduct of the administrative functions of the municipality.
(c) 
During the temporary absence or incapacity of the mayor the manager shall assume the powers and duties of the mayor, except emergency and veto powers.
(AO No. 2013-93, prop. 8, 4-1-2014)
There shall be a municipal attorney appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the assembly. The attorney serves at the pleasure of the mayor. The attorney shall advise and assist the municipal government on legal matters.
There shall be a chief fiscal officer appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the assembly. The chief fiscal officer serves at the pleasure of the mayor. The chief fiscal officer is the custodian of all municipal funds. The chief fiscal officer shall keep an itemized account of money received and disbursed, pay money on vouchers drawn against appropriations, and perform such other duties as the assembly by ordinance may prescribe.
(AO No. 2013-93, prop. 8, 4-1-2014)
The assembly by ordinance shall adopt an administrative code providing for:
(a) 
The identity, function, and responsibility of each executive department and agency;
(b) 
Rules of practice and procedure governing administrative proceedings;
(c) 
Personnel policy and rules preserving the merit principle of employment.
(a) 
The assembly by ordinance may provide for advisory, regulatory, appellate or quasi-judicial boards or commissions. The ordinance shall prescribe the duties, terms and qualifications of members.
(b) 
The mayor appoints the members of boards and commissions, unless otherwise specifically provided in this Charter. Appointments are subject to confirmation by the assembly.
(c) 
Boards and commissions may make recommendations to the assembly, the mayor, and heads of executive departments on matters specified in the ordinance creating the board or commission.
(d) 
The assembly by ordinance may create or designate itself to be a board of review, adjustment, or equalization. The ordinance shall prescribe the rules of procedure, including quorum and voting requirements.[1]
[1]
Editor’s Notes – There are Charter Commission Commentary notes on this section. Said Commentary is included as an attachment to this title.
(a) 
There is established a commission on salaries and emoluments of elected officials. The commission is composed of five members appointed for terms of four years. The commission shall be composed of at least one business executive, one representative of a nonpartisan voters' organization, one person with experience in public administration, and one representative of a labor organization.
(b) 
No member of the commission shall be employed by the municipality during the term for which the member is appointed, nor shall the member hold elective municipal office during the member's term or within one year thereafter.
(c) 
The commission shall establish the compensation, including salaries, benefits, and allowances, if any, of elected officials. A decision of the commission to adjust the compensation of elected officials shall not affect seated elected officials, but shall affect those elected officials seated after the election following approval of the decision. A decision of the commission not affecting the compensation of elected officials takes effect at the beginning of the next fiscal year of the municipality. A decision by the commission is subject to initiative and referendum in the same manner as an ordinance.
(d) 
The commission shall afford an opportunity for the public to be heard before rendering any decision that changes the compensation of an elected official. At least every two years, but not more frequently than every year, the commission shall review the compensation of elected officials. The commission shall render its decision with respect to salaries not later than 30 days before the end of the fiscal year of the municipality.
(AO No. 94-92, prop. 1, 6-1-1995; AO No. 2013-93, prop. 8, 4-1-2014)