The Duties of the Mayor in the Mayor-Council Form of Government
Legislative Duties of the Mayor
- In all municipalities in Arkansas, the mayor presides over the meetings of the council in cities and towns with the mayor/council form of government.
- The mayor may vote when the mayor’s vote is needed to pass any ordinance, bylaw, resolution or motion. A.C.A. §§ 14-43-501; 14-44-107; 14-45-105. Mayors in cities of the first and second class have a vote to establish a quorum. A.C.A. §§ 14-43-501; 14-44-107.
- After the passage of an ordinance setting the procedure for special council meetings, the mayor has the authority to call the council into session for a special meeting. A.C.A. § 14-43-502.
- The mayor is required to sign all ordinances, resolutions and city council minutes. A.C.A. § 14-55-205.
- If provided by council rules, the mayor may introduce ordinances and resolutions and recommend policy.
- The mayor in cities and towns with the mayor/council form of government may veto any ordinance, resolution or order adopted by the council. Councils may override the veto by two-thirds vote of the total membership of the council. A.C.A. §§ 14-43-504; 14-44-107; 14-45-105.
- The vote to override should occur at the next regular council meeting. A.C.A. §§ 14-43-504; 14-44- 107; 14-45-105.
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Administrative Duties of the Mayor
- Mayors of cities and towns with the mayor/council form of government are required to prepare and submit a budget to the city council for approval on or before December 1 of each year (See Chapter V).
- All mayors of cities of the first class must submit to the city council within the first 90 days of each year a complete report on the financial and administrative activities of the city. This is commonly referred to as the State of the City Report. A.C.A. § 14-58-302.
- The mayor shall also “keep the governing body advised as to the Financial condition and future needs of the city and make such recommendations as to him or her may be desirable.” A.C.A. § 14-58-302.
- The mayor oversees the day-to-day activities of the city and supervises department heads.
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The Mayor’s Duties of Appointment, Nomination and Removal
Mayors in cities or towns with the mayor/council form of government have the power to appoint and remove all department heads, including police and fire chiefs, unless the city council votes to override the mayor’s action by a two-thirds majority of all council members. A.C.A. § 14-42-110.
- Mayors may also appoint or nominate:
A building official (A.C.A. § 14-56-202(b)).
• A board of library trustees (A.C.A. § 13-2-502 [with city council approval]).
• A director of a department of public safety (A.C.A. § 14-42-421).
• A health officer, when the position has been created by ordinance (A.C.A. § 14-262-103).
• An airport commission (with council approval) (A.C.A. § 14-359-105).
• A parks and recreation commission (A.C.A. § 14-269-202 [with council confirmation] and 14-269-302 [with council confirmation]).
• An at-large member of an Advertising and Promotion Commission (with council approval) (A.C.A.§ 26-75-605).