Background. Workload, existential fulfillment, and work engagement have not yet been investigated among city council members.Aim. To assess the levels and relationships of workload, existential fulfillment, and work engagement as well as the contribution to explaining the variance of three dimensions of work engagement, i.e., vigor, dedication, and absorption.Design. In a cross-sectional survey, a random sample was drawn (N = 420) from a population of council members. Of this sample, 247 participants completed a questionnaire that included demographic, workload, existential fulfillment, and engagement items. The response was 59 %.Results. Correlational analysis shows that the higher the workload scores, the lower the vigor, dedication, and absorption scores. High levels on self-actualization, self-acceptance, and self-transcendence correspond with high levels on work engagement dimensions. On hierarchical regression analysis workload is significantly negative associated with dedication only. Results indicate that self-actualization alone was positively and significantly associated with all dimensions of work engagement. There appeared to be a significant positive association between self-acceptance and vigor. Self-transcendence was associated significantly positive with absorption. Workload plays a minor role in council member work engagement. In contrast to workload, self-acceptance, self-transcendence, and in particular self-actualization are important work engagement determinants among council members. Self-actualization alone had a positive and significant correlation with all dimensions of work engagement.The study generated new information about workload, existential fulfillment, and work engagement of council members. Implications of the study are discussed.