City Government in Mediapolis
Mediapolis
uses
the
Mayor-Council
form
of
city
government,
the
only
form
available
until
1907.
It
is
still
the
most
common
form
and
is
used
today
in
more
than
97%
of
Iowa
cities,
particularly
in
those
with
a
population
of
less
than
5,000
people.
A
popularly
elected
mayor
and
a
five-member
council
generally
govern
Mayor-Council cities, although variations are possible in the number of council members. There are five council members in Mediapolis. Elections are held every
two
years
and
those
elected
serve
a
four-year
term.
In
order
to
keep
some
continuity;
the
mayor
and
two
members
are
elected
at
the
same
time
and
in
the
following
election,
the
other
three
council
members
are
elected.
Generally
speaking,
the
Council
has
only
policy-making
powers
and
the
Mayor
has
administrative or executive powers.
Laws
that
govern
the
citizens
of
Mediapolis
come
from
the
State
and
Federal
Government
as
well
as
from
the
Mediapolis
City
Code.
Iowa
cities
have
what
is
known
as
Home
Rule
Power.
This
means
that
the
City
has
all
powers
to
act
and
make
laws
except
those
denied
them
by
the
Constitution
and
general
statutes.
Cities
have
broad
powers
to
(1)
enter
into
contracts,
(2)
employ
persons,
(3)
acquire,
manage
and
dispose
of
property,
and
(4)
regulate
persons.
Mediapolis
passes ordinances and resolutions in order to do so.
An
Ordinance
is
a
city
law
of
a
general
and
permanent
nature.
In
order
to
become
effective
after
passage
by
a
roll
call
vote
of
the
Council,
Ordinances
must
be
published
in
the
newspaper
and
will
eventually
become
a
part
of
the
Mediapolis
Municipal
Code.
Ordinances
can
cover
a
wide
variety
of
topics
ranging
from
defining the powers and duties of administrative officers of the city to designating stop sign intersections.
A
Resolution
is
a
council
statement
of
policy
or
a
council
order
for
action
to
be
taken.
Resolutions
require
a
roll
call
vote
as
well
but
do
not
need
to
be
published
in
the
newspaper.
They
do
not
become
a
part
of
the
City
Code
but
are
kept
in
a
separate
book
called
the
Book
of
Resolutions.
Resolutions
typically
cover
a
wide
variety of topics ranging from the awarding of construction contract bids to the adoption of wages for city employees.
In
order
to
pass
an
Ordinance,
three
readings
must
be
made
at
three
separate
meetings.
In
special
cases,
the
council
may
suspend
the
"three
meeting"
requirement by a recorded vote of not less than three-fourths of the council members. Resolutions may be passed and adopted after only one reading.
The Duties and responsibilities of city councils in Iowa. They pass ordinances, resolutions, amendments and motions.
City councils establish city policy. They…
Adopt government goals and objectives
Establish priorities for public services
Approve programs
Approve/amend the operating budget
Approve expenditures and payments
Approve grant applications
Approve contracts
City councils oversee the administration of city
government
Monitor the city budget
Approve the appointments made by
the mayor
Provide direction to the city staff
Hire, evaluate and provide direction
to the city attorney
Have the power to evaluate, hire and fire all city
employees
Evaluate city programs in general
City council provide community leadership
Pass along citizen concerns and desires
Arbitrate conflicting interests
Make community decisions by systematically
studying problems, reviewing alternatives and
chosing courses of action.
510 Main St., Mediapolis, IA 52637
319-394-3125