Pantego incorporated in 1952 as a village, but changed to a Type A General Law city in 1967. Its current population is approximately 2,400 residents. All General Law cities operate according to specific state statutes prescribing their powes and duties. The City Council consists of a Mayor and five Council members. The Mayor and five Council members are elected at large for staggered two-year terms on the second Saturday in May. All members serve without compensation. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Secretary and all who serve on the Town's Boards and Commissions. In 1980 the Town adopted a Council-Manager form of government. Under the City Manager plan, the voters elect a City Council which, in turn, hires a City Manager to administer the Town's day-to-day affairs. Under the Council-Manager form of government, the Council serves as the legislative body. The Council sets policy, it approves the budget and sets the tax rate, and it determines the size of the payroll and the extent and cost of municipal services. In short, the Council is the final authority on all of the many policy decisions that determine the scope and functions of the city government.