Dartmouth (N.S.). City Council records

The Dartmouth Town Council governed the incorporated Town of Dartmouth. In 1873 Council consisted of a Warden and six Councillors who were residents of the Town's three wards and who were elected by the rate-payers. The Warden was elected for one year by all Wards. The Warden presided at all meetings and was head of the Council and Chief Executive Officer of the town. As of December 1888 however, the name of the position of Warden was changed to Mayor.Council Meetings were held quarterly, but the Warden could call special meetings as often as necessary. There was also to be an annual meeting of the rate-payers of the town where the audited accounts of the year could be produced and Council, through the Warden, would report to the meeting the state and condition of the Town. The rate-payers at these meetings would, by majority vote, affirm any extraordinary expenditure required for the year. After the meeting, the Council would then pass a by-law at their next meeting imposing a rate to meet the expenditure. In 1948, District 28 of the Municipality of the County of Halifax was amalgamated into the Town and became a new, fourth ward. Council composition changed accordingly - with two councillors elected for each ward plus the Mayor for two year terms, Council was then composed of 9 members. This remained the composition of Council up until and beyond the time when the Town was incorporated as a City in 1961.

By An Act Relating to the City of Dartmouth, Statutes of Nova Scotia, assented March 13, 1961, Dartmouth became a City. The City of Dartmouth continued to be a body corporate, retaining the Town's existing by-laws, resolutions, pension, superannuation, insurance and benefit plans as well as its existing Council Members and executive and administrative officials.

Two aldermen were elected from each of seven wards; half of them elected each year, for a two year term. The Mayor is elected at large for a two year term. The last meeting of City Council was held on March 26, 1996; amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality on April 1, 1996. A complete list of Mayors and councillors and a fuller administrative history are available at HRM Archives.