The City of Bardstown is governed by a Mayor and a City Council composed of six members. These leaders are selected at large by city residents in non-partisan elections. The mayor's term of office is four years, while council members serve a two-year term.
The mayor and council meet in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. A working session is held on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm. The meetings take place in the Council Chambers at the City Hall Annex Building, 220 North Fifth Street - Xavier Dr.