Withmore City Council

The Withmore City Council is the elected governing body of Withmore City. It assumed governing power from the Corporate Council in January 2060, when the latter became an advisory board. Council members are elected every four years.

At the time of the transfer, nine of the eleven city councilors were former corporate vice-presidents. Corporate backgrounds remain a feature of the council. The corporations hold ultimate authority over the City Council, which in turn holds ultimate authority over the Withmore Justice Force.

Government and Policy

The council and its subordinate institutions are based in the Withmore Hall of Justice, alongside the WJF headquarters and other governing facilities.

Its decisions have shaped city policy beyond day-to-day law enforcement, often giving formal effect to the Corporate Council's recommendations. In January 2089, it ordered the seizure of TekSoft's property and the corporation's closure following such a recommendation.

In January 2093, the council ratified immigration changes proposed by the Corporate Council, permitting travel into and out of the city upon payment of a duty. The stated aims included reducing crime, improving quality of life, and raising additional revenue for city services.

Public Works and City Funding

Withmore draws its funding from several sources:

• Payments for licenses and services such as mag-lev travel.
• Taxes paid by corporations and corporate employees.
• Sales taxes.
• Fines levied by the WJF.
• Stipends paid by corporations.
• Real estate taxes.
• Immigration and entry or exit fees.

These revenues tie the city's public finances to commercial activity, property, movement through the city, and the enforcement of its laws, as well as to direct corporate contributions.