Goodyear has a Council-Manager form of government. The city's charter government provides for six councilmembers and a mayor, elected at large on a non-partisan ballot. Councilmembers serve four-year staggered terms and the mayor, a four-year term. The Vice Mayor is elected by the rest of the city council.

As the local legislative body, the council adopts ordinances and policies which direct the city government. The city council also appoints members to all boards and commissions.

While city management participates in the development of policies, the city council is the final decision-making authority. As elected officials, their responsibility is to represent the residents. Therefore, citizen participation at all levels is invited and encouraged by the city council.

The council frequently relies on ad hoc citizen committees or standing boards and commissions to recommend actions on major issues. While the city council has the responsibility to make the final decision, what the citizen committees recommend is highly valued by this municipal legislative body.

The City Manager, who is appointed by the city council, is responsible for the overall operation and supervision of the government functions within the policy directives of the city council.

As the administrative head of the city government, he is responsible for the appointment and dismissal of all employees, except for the Magistrate and City Attorney who are appointed by city council.