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Legislative
and Administration
The City of Henderson values your opinions and invites you to address the Board
of Commissioners on any matter of city business. Persons who wish to address the
Board or present matters for Council’s consideration on topics not listed on
the agenda may do so at the beginning of each regular meeting under the Appearance
of Citizens section of the agenda.
Board
of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners
is composed of a Mayor and four Commissioners operating under the City
Manager Plan (KRS 83A.150). Under this form of government, which was
adopted by public referendum in 1966, legislative authority is vested
in the Board of Commissioners and administrative responsibilities are
carried out by an appointed City Manager. As the policy-making body
for Henderson, the Board is the final authority on most matters relating
to the City.
Duties and powers:
- Establishing
general policies for the City
- Appointing
the City Manager, City Attorney, and members of various boards and commissions
- Enacting
ordinances, resolutions, and orders
- Adopting
the annual budget
- Levying
taxes and collecting revenues
- Issuing
bonds and providing the payment of public debts
- Authorizing
contracts on the City’s behalf
Mayor - The Mayor
presides over meetings of the Board, serves as the ceremonial head of
government, and votes on all matters. The Mayor does not have veto power and has
no regular administrative duties.
Mayor Pro Tem – The Board of Commissioners elects one of its members to
serve as Mayor Pro Tem following each election. Traditionally, the Commissioner
chosen as Mayor Pro Tem, who serves in the absence of the Mayor, is the
Commissioner receiving the most votes in the general election.
Elections – Elections for Mayor and City Commissioner are nonpartisan
and at large (no wards are designated). They are held in November of
each even-numbered year. The Mayor is elected for a four-year term,
while each Commissioner is elected to a two-year term.
Meetings – All regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners' meetings
are held in the Third Floor Assembly Room at the Municipal Center,
222
First Street. Meetings are held every second and fourth Tuesday night
of each month, at 5:30 p.m. They can be viewed live on cable television,
via the local Public Access channel. In addition, work sessions are
held on the third Tuesday of each month on the second floor of the
Municipal
Center. All meetings are open to the public.
City Manager
The City Manager is appointed
by the Board of Commissioners and serves as the chief administrative officer of
the City.
Duties and powers:
- Oversees
the day-to-day functions of the City
- Carries
out the duties and policies set by the Board of Commissioners
- Prepares
the annual budget of the City
- Supervises
12 City offices and departments and their personnel
- Exercises
executive powers and duties delegated by ordinance and statue including
enforcement of the City Manager Plan, City ordinances, and all applicable
statues
City
Attorney
The City Attorney is appointed by the Board of Commissioners and provides
legal counsel and representation to the Board, City Manager, departments of City
government, City-appointed boards and commissions, and the City-County Planning
Commission.
Duties and powers:
- Drafts
resolutions and ordinances for Board consideration
- Drafts
and reviews contracts
- Performs
legal research
- Issues
opinions on zoning, procurement, and personnel matters
- Responds
to inquiries under the Freedom of Information Act
- Handles
some matters of litigation, risk management, and real estate
The
City Attorney’s Office does not provide legal advice about personal or private
problems of citizens, but can answer questions related to City activities,
including interpretation of the City Code. |
