The City of Mount Holly has a Council-Manager form of government with a Mayor and six Council Members. The Mayor is elected every two years in November, and the Council Members, elected at-large, serve four-year staggered terms. The City Council appoints a professional City Manager to run the day-to-day operations.

The Mayor presides at all City Council meetings and officially represents the City at special ceremonies and events. The Mayor Pro Tem assumes all duties, powers, and obligations of the Office of Mayor in the Mayor's absence.

Together the Mayor and City Council Members are responsible for establishing the general policies under which the City operates. These include:

- Appointing the City Manager, City Attorney, and members of various boards and committees.

- Enacting ordinances, resolutions, and orders.

- Reviewing & approving the annual budget and setting the tax rate.

- Authorizing contracts and approving formal bids on behalf of the City.