The City of Janesville operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The Janesville City Council has seven members, who are elected on a nonpartisan basis and represent the city as a whole. Council members serve two year, overlapping terms and are non-salaried.

Elections are held in April, and new Council members take office on the third Tuesday of April. At that time, the Council chooses one of its members to serve as president. The president presides over council meetings and appoints citizens to various committees, including the Cable Television and Golf Course Advisory committees. Other standing committees can be created if found necessary. The City Council appoints the City Manager, who is the City's chief executive officer.

Wisconsin Statutes establish the Council's power to enact new city laws, amend present laws, and repeal existing ones. The home rule portion of the State Constitution further allows municipalities the power to create laws not in conflict with Federal Laws or State Statutes. The Code of General Ordinances, which contains all the laws of the city, is updated semiannually. A Council Policy Manual identifies policies of the Council not covered by ordinances. The Code of General Ordinances and Council Policy Manual are available for review in the City Clerk's office or at the Hedberg Public Library.

Based upon their own studies and investigations and the advice and recommendations of the City Manager and his staff, the Council makes basic, long range policy decisions for the city. The Council uses study sessions and committee meetings, beyond regular Council meetings, to help determine policy.