» Publications A significant portion of the League's overall program is devoted to the development of publications in all areas of local government concern. Annual publications of the League include a Directory of Arkansas Municipal Officials, the Salary Survey, as well as updating of publications dealing with rapidly changing subjects. The Handbook for Arkansas Municipal Officials is widely used by municipal officials and in demand by many other sources. Updates to the Directory of Arkansas Municipal Officials are available monthly at this site. The allows you to view and select publications by printing an order form online. The League publishes a magazine called which is designed to provide a forum for municipal officials to exchange ideas and compare notes on accomplishments and problems in Arkansas cities and towns. This magazine has a distribution of approximately 7,000 copies.
Issued by Arkansas Municipal LeagueThis manual was compiled to provide professionals with a practical reference tool of Constitutional and statutory provisions.
In addition to the elected officials, city administrators and managers, the magazine is sent to police chiefs, fire chiefs and other department heads. Also included on the mailing list are state officials, local newspapers, chambers of commerce and other offices and persons who are interested in municipal affairs. Please check the to view the current issue and to check our archive. Total video converter for mac os.
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This page provides an overview of the powers of the legislative and executive branches of cities and counties in Washington State, along with practical tips for avoiding conflicts. Overview 'Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things.' - Warren Bennis Constitutions, charters, statutes, and ordinances are the sources of authority for elected officials and staff in the policymaking process, and a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities can increase the effectiveness of all participants.
Legislative Bodies City, town, and county councilmembers and county commissioners are legislators. Together they constitute a legislative body that is given authority by the state constitution and state law to make local law.
Jul 11, 2017 Handbook For Arkansas Municipal Officials Of La. 7/11/2017 0 Comments Diversity Caucuses. The League is committed to promoting involvement for all city officials, in. Under Arkansas law. This handbook is available upon request to all candidates running for public office. Please note, this handbook is a guide and not a substitute for state law. Municipal Offices. Election Official. The Arkansas Municipal League was founded in 1934 and exists for a threefold purpose: to act as the official representative of Arkansas cities and towns before the state and federal governments; to provide a clearinghouse for information and answers; and, to offer a. Handbook for Arkansas Municipal Officials, Published by the Arkansas Municipal League: Author: Arkansas Municipal League: Publisher: Arkansas Municipal League, 1949: Length: 160 pages: Export Citation: BiBTeX EndNote RefMan.
Local legislative authority is generally limited to what the state specifically grants to counties, cities and towns. However, code cities, charter cities, and charter counties have 'home rule' powers that permit them to exercise authority not specifically granted, provided that the state has not specifically prohibited that local authority. Our political system is a representative democracy. We elect legislators to make policy decisions and enact laws on our behalf. Except through the exercise of the, we do not practice direct democracy. The essence of the legislative process is the give and take of different interests and the search for a compromise that is acceptable to the majority.
Often there are elaborate mechanisms to involve citizens and interest groups in the policymaking process. But in the end, legislative bodies make the decisions and voters must abide by these decisions. Those who are not satisfied with the outcome can always seek to change their representative by voting him/her out of office. Executives While mayors and city managers often develop and propose policies, their basic responsibility is to carry out the council's directives and to implement the policies adopted by the council. Commissioners serve both legislative and executive roles. The relationship of the executive to the legislative body varies by form of local government: mayor-council, council-mayor, or commission.
Mayor-Council Form of Government: Policy and administration are separate. All legislative and policymaking powers are vested in the city council. This is also true for most charter counties that have county councils, including King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Whatcom counties. Administrative authority is vested in a directly elected mayor or county executive.
Mayors in second class, mayor-council cities and code, mayor-council cities may veto ordinances but the mayor's veto can be overruled by two-thirds vote of the council. Council-Manager Form of Government: All legislative and policy powers are vested in the city council. The council employs a professional administrator to carry out the policies it develops. The city manager is head of the administrative branch of government. The mayor is usually selected by the city council from among its members, although in a few larger cities (such as Tacoma, Vancouver, and Olympia), the voters directly elect the mayor through provisions of a charter or through for optional municipal code cities. The mayor's responsibilities are primarily to preside at council meetings and to act as head of the city for ceremonial purposes and for purposes of military law.
The mayor votes as a councilmember and does not have any veto power. Political skills possessed by the mayor can be helpful in bringing parties together in the policy development process. Currently, the only county that has adopted this organizational model is Clark County, which is in the process of transition. San Juan County has adopted a hybrid form that includes a county manager position but retains much of the commission form as well.
Arkansas Municipal Code Online
Handbook For Arkansas Municipal Officials
Commission Form of Government: In the commission form of government, one elective body includes the executive, legislative, and administrative functions of government. There is only one Washington city (Shelton) currently operating under this form of government. Thirty-two Washington counties use a commission form of government.
The board of commissioners sits as a body, passes laws, and makes policy. Clallam County's home rule charter established a county administrator to assist the commissioners but both the executive and legislative functions are retained by the commissioners. While much of this information is relevant to both cities and counties, there are some factors that make the policymaking process of counties different from cities. Elected county offices are partisan in a majority of the counties; candidates must declare party affiliation when they run for office. In comparison, all elected city offices are nonpartisan.
Arkansas Municipal Codes Handbook
County commissioners share power with other elected county officials such as the assessor, auditor, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, county clerk, and treasurer. There are only a handful of Washington cities that elect anyone other than mayors or council members.
The separation of authority between the legislative body and the chief executive in the mayor-council, county executive, and council-manager forms of government is very similar. In the mayor-council form of government, the mayor is the chief administrative officer who is responsible for all administrative functions. When separately elected, the county executive serves as chief administrative officer in those counties that have a council (such as King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties).
In the council-manager form, the appointed manager is the chief administrative officer. The council creates county departments, authorizes positions, and fixes compensation.
The council may not direct the hiring of any employee by the chief administrative officer, although local ordinances may call for council confirmation of appointments in the mayor-council form of government. The mayor has the power to appoint and remove all appointive officers and employees, consistent with the laws of the city. This authority to hire and fire may be delegated to department heads.
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In the council-manager form, the manager supervises city business, appoints and removes department heads and employees, executes laws, recommends activities to the council, submits reports, submits a proposed budget, and performs other duties directed by ordinance. Mayors, county executives, city managers, and staff do not make policy decisions.
However, they have strong influence on the policymaking process and its resultant decisions. For example, they propose budgets, oversee staff-led studies and analyses related to proposed policies, and make policy recommendations to councils. Through their ongoing contacts with key interest groups, elected and appointed chief administrative officers and department heads influence (and are influenced by) other participants in the policy development process. What Staff Needs to Know about Elected Officials Policy development processes are most effective and productive when key players work well together. Each party has a role to play, along with clearly defined responsibilities.
Conflicts often develop when the legitimate needs and roles of one party are not understood by another. Here are some suggestions that might make the policy development process more effective.
Elected officials have different needs than staff. To be effective, elected officials must be responsive to the needs of their constituents. Concerns for 'fairness' and 'minority views' may outweigh issues of effectiveness or efficiency.
Elected officials want to know where various groups stand on an issue. This information is important in attempting to balance the conflicting values that often come into play during the policymaking process. Elected officials do not like surprises. This is particularly true at the end of a long and arduous process. A staffmember's credibility can be seriously undermined if key interests introduce relevant, new information at a final public hearing before action is to be taken. Councilmembers depend on staff to provide pertinent, timely, and complete information on issues the council must take under consideration. Elder scrolls online for mac.
Elected officials like to have choices. No one likes to feel backed into a corner with only one solution.
Even a brilliant staff proposal may not carry the day if other choices were not seriously considered. Staff can be an enormous help. Staff can set an example by showing how compromise can be reached on thorny issues. They can also make everyone on the policy/administrative team look good by sharing credit.
What Elected Officials Need to Know about Staff. Some key staff belong to national and state associations that hold members to professional and ethical standards. For example, many city managers and administrators belong to the and are bound by the. Asking staff to help on certain political matters, such as election and ballot campaigns, puts them in a difficult position. State laws also significantly limit the use of public resources for campaign issues. Explore challenging issues with staff and encourage their creativity. Staff will sometimes assert that 'we can't do this because it violates technical standards.' While these standards are legitimate attempts to address important public goals, they often do not fully recognize other community values.
For example, street design standards favor the movement of traffic. If the street is not critical for the movement of large traffic volumes, there may be ways to design the street to achieve other community goals by providing wider sidewalks, bike lanes, and space for recreational and social activities. (However, access may be lost to certain categories of state or federal funds if standards are not met.). Get to know and trust key staff. Competent staff can be a tremendous help in developing ideas, structuring good processes, and generally keeping you out of trouble. Treat each other respectfully. Otherwise, you may not get that extra effort that can make a difference in effectiveness. Avoid public criticism of each other; it only makes for martyrs. If there is a legitimate concern, discuss the matter privately.
If you are a councilmember, remember that you do not have the authority to direct employees. Discuss your concerns with the executive, mayor, or city manager. If you are on staff, ask for policy clarification if you are not sure what was intended. Show appreciation for good work. Say 'thanks.'
Share credit. Understanding and appreciating the differing roles of your team members will improve the policymaking and decision-making process. Recommended Resources. — AWC’s reference guide for mayors and councilmembers in Washington cities and towns operating under the mayor-council form of government. — MRSC’s reference guide for new county commissioners. — MRSC’s webpage with an overview of county commissioner responsibilities. — WCMA strengthens the quality of local government through improved professional management services and programs.
Within the ACCRTA website for Arkansas City Clerks, Recorders and Treasurers you will find resources that we hope will assist you in performing your duties and enhance your community. Arkansas is home to more than 500 municipalities and this organization of professionals hopes to provide essential knowledge to its members to help improve the administration of local government throughout the state.
ACCRTA is dedicated to perpetuating and developing the organization as a body within the Arkansas Municipal League, for the cooperation of City Clerks, Recorders and Treasurers of Arkansas cities and towns, and promotes the application of the best methods of conducting the affairs of the offices of City Clerks, Recorders and Treasurers in the great state of Arkansas.
The purpose of this organization shall be to improve the administration of local government through officials and/or persons vested with the powers and duties commonly known as City Clerks, Recorders and Treasurers. All such officials or persons referred to will hereinafter be called City Clerks, Recorders and Treasurers. The objectives include, but are not limited to the following: to perpetuate and develop the organization as a body within the Arkansas Municipal League, for the cooperation of City Clerks, Recorders and Treasurers of Arkansas cities and towns, to promote the application of the best methods of conducting the affairs of the Offices of City Clerks, Recorders and Treasurers, to promote and support legislation for the benefit of the Municipalities in harmony with the advocates of the Arkansas Municipal League, to provide a better knowledge of the needs of the Municipalities to the public generally, to safeguard the autonomy of the Municipality in its relation to the education of its citizenship and the existence toward continuity of a citizenship free from dictatorial powers of a person or persons.
Membership:
Those persons, as previously defined, in the State of Arkansas are eligible for membership in the association. Membership of the City Clerks, Recorders & Treasurers Association shall have four classes: active, retired, honorary and associate and shall be composed entirely of Municipalities having paid up membership dues in the Arkansas Municipal League.
Active Members: Active members are defined as those City Clerks, Recorders and Treasurers and their deputies whose annual dues have been paid prior to the annual meeting. A deputy is defined as working in the Clerk’s office whose core duties include a majority of the core duties listed below as certified by the clerk or recorder.
Secretariat to the elected body.
Meetings of that body and any subordinate committee, boards or commissions.
Preparation of agendas, minutes and official documents of such bodies.
Maintenance and preservation of bylaws, ordinances, or other legal instruments of the elected body.
Custody of the municipal seal and the execution of official documents.
Management of records and archives of the elected body.
Administration of oaths of office and document certification.
Administration of elections, as applicable.
Retired Members: Members who retire from office may continue their membership as nonvoting members.
Honorary Members: Members who have held Active Memberships in the Association for a period of not less than eight (8) years prior to termination of the Office Recommendations for Honorary Membership shall be submitted to any member of the Executive Committee for approval and shall be presented at the next annual meeting of the Association. Approval of such Honorary Membership shall be by majority approval of those voting members present. Members who have dishonored the office shall not be allowed to be honorary members.
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Associate Members Nonvoting: Associate membership shall be open to individuals employed by local government unit or other body as defined below, and those individuals who can demonstrate a commitment to the purpose and objectives of the association. Associate membership shall include the following list of positions: