The Town Council establishes Town policies, passes ordinances and resolutions, approves the Town budget, sets tax rates, approves land use plans, and makes appointments to Town boards and commissions.

Regular Council meetings are held the first and third Mondays of each month, except July and August, at 8 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Town Hall. (Council meets the first Monday in July and the third Monday in August.) The Council agenda is recorded on the Vienna Newsline, 703-255-6333, the weekend before each meeting. These meetings are open to the public, and citizens are encouraged to attend.

The Town Council is composed of the Mayor and six Council members. Town elections are non-partisan, and Council members are elected at large for staggered two-year terms. The Mayor is the ranking elected official and ceremonial head of the Town government, presides at Council meetings, and has all of the rights and duties of other Council members, including the right to vote on all motions considered by Council.

The Town Manager is appointed by the Town Council as full-time administrator of the Town government. His duties include preparation of the Town's annual budget, carrying out the orders and resolutions of Council, and supervising the performance of department heads and other officials responsible to him.