Article 12: Municipalities

The Legislature shall provide by general law for the incorporation, organization, and powers of municipalities. Municipalities shall be bodies corporate and politic, with such powers as are necessary to provide for the peace, safety, and general welfare of their inhabitants.

Municipalities shall have the power to levy and collect taxes, fees, and assessments for municipal purposes, as shall be prescribed by law. All municipal funds shall be managed and accounted for in a transparent manner, with all expenditures being made for the public good.

Each municipality shall have a governing body, such as a city council or board of aldermen, and such other officers as shall be necessary for the administration of its affairs. The manner of election, terms of office, and duties of all municipal officers shall be prescribed by law.

(a) MAYOR: Each municipality shall have a chief executive officer, to be known as the Mayor. The Mayor shall be the head of the municipal government and shall be responsible for the administration of its affairs. The Mayor shall have the power to veto ordinances passed by the municipal governing body, and such other duties as may be prescribed by law. To be eligible to serve as Mayor, a person must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and a registered voter within the jurisdiction or municipality they represent for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the election. The members shall be subject to a four (4) year term and may serve a maximum of two (2) terms.

(b) CITY COUNCIL: Each municipality shall have a legislative body, to be known as the City Council, Board of Aldermen, or other such name as prescribed by law. The City Council shall be responsible for enacting all ordinances, resolutions, and local laws necessary for the governance of the municipality. The members of the City Council shall be elected by the qualified voters of the municipality. To be eligible to serve on the City Council, a person must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and a registered voter within the jurisdiction or district they represent for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the election. The members shall be subject to a four (4) year term and may serve a maximum of two (2) terms.