City of Boston government
Learn about our elected officials, as well as the leaders of our cabinets and departments.
Meet the Mayor
Mayor Martin J. Walsh, an accomplished advocate for working people and a proud product of the City of Boston, was sworn in as the City’s 54th Mayor on January 6, 2014.
Chief of Staff
David Sweeney is Chief of Staff to the City of Boston. In this capacity, he advises Mayor Martin J. Walsh on key issues and helps him execute his vision for the City and its 18,000 employees.
Administration and Finance
The Administration and Finance Cabinet ensures that city services are delivered with high quality, with high ethical standards, are financially prudent, are responsive to the needs of the citizens of Boston, and consistent with the laws and ordinances governing municipal government.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Arts and Culture
The mission of the Arts and Culture Cabinet is to foster the growth and well-being of the cultural community and promote participation in the arts. Recognizing the importance of creativity across all policy areas, the cabinet seeks to promote access to arts and culture to all the City’s residents, and to make Boston a municipal arts leader.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Civic Engagement
The Civic Engagement Cabinet seeks to improve the delivery of City Services as well as create opportunities for all Boston Residents to participate in local government.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Economic Development
The mission of the Economic Development Cabinet is to lead a broad effort to streamline and support areas of focus that contribute to Boston’s economy including tourism, jobs and employment, business development, and real estate development.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Education
The Education Cabinet will be responsible for Boston’s education landscape and tasked with crafting and executing an education agenda for the City. From early childhood education, to kindergarten, to junior high, to higher learning institutions, to educations for seniors. The cabinet will implement the vision for academic excellence across the City.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Environment, Energy, and Open Space
The mission of the Environment, Energy and Open Space Cabinet is to coordinate several City departments and programs to enhance sustainability, preserve historic and open space resources, protect the health and safety of the built environment, prepare for climate change, and provide public spaces to gather and recreate in Boston.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Health and Human Services
The Health and Human Services Cabinet is committed to promoting the health and well-being of the City's residents particularly the most vulnerable. The provision of social, recreational, health and support services to city residents, particularly the homeless, persons with disabilities, women, the elderly, youth, immigrants and veterans, will be coordinated and made available in a customer-friendly and culturally sensitive manner.
Housing and Neighborhood Development
The Cabinet is committed to making Boston the most livable city in the nation by working with its many communities to build strong neighborhoods through the strategic investment of public resources.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Information and Technology
The mission of the Information and Technology Cabinet is to provide systems and technologies that develop and support department personnel with information relative to their operations, support strategic planning, promote effective resource management, enhance customer service and promote internal and external electronic and voice communications.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Mayor's Office
The agencies reporting to the Mayor's Office represent the Mayor and the City in legal matters, public relations, and elections. The Mayor's vision for the future of the City is reflected in the policies and directions carried forward by the staff of these offices.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Operations
The Operations Cabinet oversees all operational activities that intersect with the management of central facilities. The cabinet includes departments that set policies for intergovernmental relations and central municipal properties.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Streets
The mission of the Streets Cabinet is to innovate, develop, implement, support and manage all programs, projects and policies that enhance clean, well-lit, attractive and efficient infrastructure that moves vehicular and pedestrian traffic safely.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Communications
This cabinet leads the overall communications and media relations strategies to support Mayor Martin J. Walsh's vision for a thriving, healthy and innovative city.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Policy and Planning
This cabinet advises the Mayor on a wide array of issues, from housing to economic mobility and workforce development to substance use disorder. The team coordinates policy initiatives across cabinets and departments, with an emphasis on breaking down work silos.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Non-Mayoral Departments
These departments are governed independently by appointed or elected officials, but are financed by the City: City Clerk (elected by the City Council); City Council (elected position); Finance Commission (appointed by Governor).
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Public Safety
Departments in the Public Safety Cabinet serve to protect the lives and property of City residents. The City maintains a ready state of preparedness through sufficient staffing levels, state-of-the-art equipment, and continual training and evaluation of policies and practices. The focus on neighborhood presence helps the City prevent crime, fire, incidents of terrorism, natural disasters quickly, and increases the sense of safety and security by residents and businesses.
Departments, Boards, & Agencies
Boards and commissions are an important part of Boston’s government. Each board or commission works with internal departments, City Councilors, and the public to serve the City.
You can find information about the City's many boards and commissions through the link below: