The Mayor and four Council Members comprise the legislative branch of the Town. Kiawah Island has a mayor-council form of government. The Mayor is charged with the executive functions of Town management. The Mayor is responsible for coordinating and carrying out the policies established by the Town Council and for seeing that the duties of all Town employees are performed efficiently and effectively. The Mayor presides over Town Council meetings. The Town Council can hire an "Administrator" in this form of government to assist the Mayor.  The Town Administrator provides support and advice to the Mayor on these matters. 

Terms for Mayor and Council Members are four-year terms. The at-large elections are nonpartisan. These elected officials are volunteers who receive no compensation.

Town Council also appoints the Town's attorney, clerk to the council, finance director and the municipal judge, and residents who serve on town boards, committees, and commissions.