MAYOR, COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATOR FORM OF GOVERNMENT
The organizational structure for the City can be characterized as a Mayor-Council form with a City Administrator. Authority is vested in an elected Mayor and City Council which, in turn, hires and appoints the City Administrator. The City Administrator is appointed by the Governing Body, and serves at the pleasure of that body.
The City Administrator is responsible for the day to day administration and operation of the City, implementation of policies set by the City Council and presenting a budget to the Governing Body. The City Administrator, with the help of City staff, provides the Governing Body with the information needed to fulfill their policy-making role.
THE GOVERNING BODY
The Governing Body is the legislative and policy making entity of the City. It is the Governing Body’s responsibility to enact ordinances, resolutions and orders necessary for governing the affairs of the City as outlined in the City Charter Ordinance No. 1, 1989 and State Statute, to approve or amend the annual budget, to authorize certain contracts on behalf of the City, to act as the final appeal body on rulings of some boards and commissions, to appoint and evaluate the City Administrator, approve the appointment of all members of the various boards and commissions, and to submit propositions to the electors at any election.
FORMAL AUTHORITIES OF THE MAYOR
The Mayor has certain duties and authorities which are required or implied by Municipal Code and Wyoming State Statute including:
- Preside over at all meetings of the Governing Body Administers oaths of office
- Signs commissions, oaths, appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees per Statute, City Ordinance, and Bylaws
- Executes contracts per Statute, City Ordinance, or as Authorized by Council
- The Mayor has one (1) vote on all matters voted on by the Governing Body, except to override a veto and the confirmation of Mayoral appointments
- Recommends policies to the governing body
- Recommends board and commission appointments to Council
- Appoints a City Administrator, City Attorney and Municipal Judge with City Council consent and can remove these appointments with notice to Council
- May call for a Special Council Meeting
- Exercising superintending control over the City Administrator's performance to ensure the City Administrator is performing duties as outlined in the Charter Ordinance
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS OF THE MAYOR
- The ceremonial head of the City
- The ambassador of goodwill and the City’s representative at official functions
- Provides leadership and encourages citizen participation in City activities and issues
- Leads the governing body in addressing political matters, needs, goals, and a vision for the community
- Represents the City at the local, state and federal levels on matters impacting the City
- Meets regularly with the City Administrator to provide policy guidance relative to actions of the governing body
CITY COUNCIL
The City of Powell Council is composed of two elected officials from each of the three wards. Municipal elections are held every even-numbered year, with three Council members selected; one from each ward at one election and three at the next, unless a vacancy has occurred.
At the first regular Council meeting in January, following the November general election, the newly elected Council members are sworn in and assume the duties of office.
The Mayor serves as the presiding officer; the City Council selects a President from its membership to serve in the absence of the Mayor.
FORMAL AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
- All general powers lis ted in W. S. § 15-1 -10 3 through 15-1-110 0, those listed in W.S. § 15-5 through 1 5-1 0 and the authority to act under home rule .
- Commits the City to a policy course of action including appropriation of funds
- Exercises an oversight role over the conduct of City affairs
- Confirms appointments to boards, commissions and certain appointed positions such as City Administrator, City Attorney and City Judges
- Determines personnel policies
- Approves rules and regulations
- Oversees the finances of the City of Powell
- Approves zoning changes, subdivisions, plats and annexations
- Establishes City operational fees
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
- Focuses on long range planning and policy development for the community and the City organization
- Establishes goals and objectives for the community and authorize programs that address the needs of the entire community
- Provides oversight and assessment of the effectiveness of goals, policies, programs and services rendered to citizens
- Receives citizen complaints and information requests and forwards to the City Administrator for appropriate action
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC LEADERSHIP
Although it is the primary responsibility of the Mayor to provide public leadership on City issues, it is also a fundamental role of the Council. While the Mayor may be the “point person” in the City’s efforts to generate and promote support for community-wide programs, the individual serving in that position cannot effectively do so without the support and active involvement of the members of the City Council.
The presentation of policy decisions to the public in a consistent manner is a critical component of the Council’s ability to function effectively as a team. The extent to which the community accepts a policy decision by the Council will be limited to the Council’s ability to reconcile diverse interests in the context of its decision-making. Given that every policy decision the Council makes has the potential for conflict, the Council’s success in this area is critical to exhibiting successful public leadership.
