Get to Know Your Municipal Officials
Who is a Public Official?
- Mayor
- City Council Members
- Borough Assembly Members
- School Board Members
- Municipal Attorney
- Municipal Clerk
- Municipal Treasurer
- Municipal Manager or Administrator
Mayor
The executive power of a municipality is vested in the mayor. Specific powers of the mayor vary depending on form of government or by municipal charter. The mayor may have veto power.
Governing Body (Council/Assembly)
- Sets policy by enacting ordinances and adopting the annual budget
- May serve as an appeal board and a liason to community and state organizations
- Acts as a lobbyist for the community
- Act as a body, not individually
- Directs the work of appointed officials
Municipal Clerk
- Serves as the liaison between the governing body, staff, and the public
- Provides notice of all public meetings and keeps a record of its proceedings
- Publishes notice of ordinances adopted by and actions of the governing body
- Conducts local elections
- Maintains the seal of the City or Borough
- Serves as the Records Manager and Public Information Officer
- Get to know Alaska’s clerks through the Clerkstart Initiative.
Treasurers
- Maintains accounts relating to the municipality
- Assists in preparing annual budget and monthly financial reports
- May be combined with the Municipal Clerk’s position
City Managers and Administrators
- Duties vary between Strong Mayor or Strong Manager municipalities
- Managers are appointed by the governing body; Administrators are appointed by the mayor
- Both Managers and Administrators:
- Hire most municipal employees
- Responsible for submitting annual budget to the governing body
- Exercise custody over property owned by the municipality
Municipal Terms
Home Rule Municipality
AS 29.04.010. A home rule municipality is a municipal corporation and political subdivision. It is a city or a borough that has adopted a home rule charter, or it is a unified municipality. A home rule municipality has all legislative powers not prohibited by law or charter.
General Law Municipality
AS 29.04.020. A general law municipality is a municipal corporation and political subdivision and is an unchartered borough or city. It has legislative powers conferred by law.
First Class City
Must have 400+ permanent residents
Second Class City
Must have 25+ permanent residents
The Unorganized Borough
All areas of the state outside of organized boroughs are part of the Unorganized Borough, which is governed by the State Legislature. (A
Constitution Article X. Section 6) There are some organized cities within the unorganized .
Strong Mayor Municipality
In a “strong mayor” municipality, the administrator supports and takes direction from the mayor.
Strong Manager Municipality
In a Strong Manager Municipality, the Manager leads with direction from the governing body.
Upcoming Events
Contact Details
One Sealaska Plaza, Suite 302
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 586-1325
membersupport@akml.org
Monday – Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm