The City and County of Honolulu under the city charter adopted in 1959 was cited by the United States Conference of Mayors as a model for modern American metropolitan area government. It does not have to adjust its programs to the complications of independent suburban municipalities, autonomous districts, commissions, school districts and inconveniently located boundaries of other, smaller governmental jurisdictions. All elective positions have four-year terms elected on a nonpartisan basis.
In 1998, Mayor Jeremy Harris made major changes in the organization of the government. Services were consolidated, operations and processes streamlined and emphasis was placed on customer service. Several services are contracted out to businesses or private nonprofit organizations, including the operation and maintenance of the bus system, refuse incinerator and power generating plant, refuse landfill and convenience centers and animal control.