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THE CITY COUNCIL
Everett is the only city in the nation
with a bicameral legislature - The
Board of Aldermen and the Common Council.
Both branches make up the City Council,
but meet seperately.
Under our Mayor-Council form of government,
Everett has a directly elected Mayor
to administer the municipal government
and a City Council to carry out the
legislative function.
While some proposed laws which come
before Council are referred by the
Administration, The Council also initiates
legislation itself. Council members
will often propose new programs at
the suggestion of City residents.
Council members also respond annually
to thousands of constituent requests,
filling a crucial oversight role in
the delivery of basic City services
to the public.
One of Council's main duties is the
enactment of the City's annual budget.
Council sets fiscal policies and approves
all spending, whether for operations
(e.g., salaries) or capital items
such as major equipment purchases,
street repairs, or other public improvements.The
regulation of land use, including
the creation and amendment of zoning
laws, is another significant Council
responsibility.
Both branches must approve the Ordinances
and money orders of the City.
THE BOARD
OF ALDERMEN
The Board of Aldermen consists of
seven members one from each of the
City's six wards and one Alderman-at-Large.
All Aldermen are elected city-wide
for a term of two years.
In addition to the duties they share
with the Common Council, the Board
of Aldermen is the licensing authority
in the City and approves licenses
for motor dealers, second-hand dealers,
awnings, lodging houses, junk dealers,
pool tables, open-air parking lots,
coin-operated devices, Lord's Day
licences, antique and precious metal
dealers
THE COMMON COUNCIL
The Common Council consists
three members elected per ward for
a total of eighteen members. The Common
Council shares equally responsibility
for most legislative actions with
the exception of licensing and confirmation
of most Mayoral appointees. |
