List of mayors of Rochester, New York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mayor of Rochester
Flag of the City of Rochester
Seal of the City of Rochester
Incumbent Malik Evans since January 1, 2022
Style	The Honorable
Term length	Four years; renewable
Inaugural holder	Jonathan Child
Formation	1834
Salary	$143,000 (2017)
Website	City of Rochester

A mayor is the top leader of a city. They help make sure the city runs smoothly. This article shares a full list of all the mayors who have served the city of Rochester, New York.

The mayor of Rochester is like the city's chief executive officer. They are in charge of making sure local laws are followed. They also choose people for many important city jobs.

How Rochester's Mayors Changed Over Time

When Rochester became a city in 1834, the city council chose the mayor. The mayor's main job was to lead council meetings. They did not have many other duties back then.

Mayors Become Elected Leaders

In 1840, a new law in New York state changed things. It made mayors in all cities elected by the people. This meant citizens could vote for their mayor. Over the years, the mayor gained more power to appoint people to city roles.

New Ways of City Government

By 1898, a new state law gave mayors even more power. This created a "mayor-council government." In this system, the mayor handles all the city's daily operations. They also make all the important appointments.

Later, in 1925, Rochester tried a different system. People voted to change to a "council-manager government." In this setup, the mayor's role was mostly ceremonial. A city manager, chosen by the council, handled the main executive tasks.

However, in 1984, Rochester changed back again. Another vote brought back the "mayor-council government." This is the system Rochester uses today. The mayor is once again the main leader of the city.

List of Mayors of Rochester