Dickinson operates under a City Commission form of government. There are five city commissioners, including the city commission president each of whom are elected at-large. City commission terms are four years in length with elections held every two years, hence in one election two positions are elected and two years later three positions are elected. The Dickinson City Commission abandoned portfolio assignments in the late 1990s and assigned these responsibilities to the city administrator. Due to this strategic location, and the resulting regional social and economic influence, it was known for decades by the nickname Queen City of the Prairies. This nickname was used as early as 1906, and legend has it that it was selected through a contest sponsored by the Dickinson Press.