San Luis is a general law city, which operates with a council-manager form of government, where the council appoints a City Manager who administers the daily operations of city government.

The City Council also appoints a City Attorney who is responsible for advising the Council on legal issues affecting San Luis and represents the City in its legal matters. The City Council enacts City ordinances, establishes policies, represents the public, maintains intergovernmental relations, and exercises general oversight over the affairs of City government.

The City performs a variety of public services including police and fire protecting, water and wastewater services, sanitation services, street and road services, park and recreation services, senior services, etc. The City Council is the administrative, executive, and legislative body overseeing all functions and duties of the City.