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The following questions and answers are taken from a publication of the Arkansas Municipal League entitled, Municipal Law in Arkansas: Questions and Answers, (May 2007) which contains additional information of interest to city officials. It may also be downloaded here.
The files below require Adobe Reader to view or print.
Boundary Changes
Building And Construction
Elected Officials
Elections
Employment Law
Financial Affairs
Freedom of Information Act
Governing Bodies
Utilities
Other Timely Topics:
MLDP-Sample Agreement & Employment Policy
What are the proper procedures for reporting boundary changes in Arkansas? What state and local offices should be contacted when we have a boundary change? - PDF
Is the city required to use an architect or engineer on building or other construction projects? - PDF
Must a contractor working on a city construction project be licensed? - PDF
Can we hire non-licensed contractors by dividing the project into segments costing
less than $20,000? - PDF
If a city does not hire a contractor for a construction project but does its own contracting, must the city or one of its employees acquire a contractor's license? - PDF
Does the state building code regulate the siting of Manufactured Homes? - PDF
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Who is the recorder-treasurer's supervisor? - PDF
May the treasurer's duties be assigned to someone else? - PDF
Is there a conflict of interest if a mayor or alderman is married to another council member or a city employee? - PDF
Does a conflict of interest exist if the mayor or an alderman works at the bank where the city's money is deposited? - PDF
Can the city council members vote to decrease their own salaries or the salaries of other elected officials? - PDF
How long can a municipal elected official serve in an office when he or she does not run for reelection and no one else runs for the position? - PDF
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What filing deadlines apply to independent candidates for municipal offices? - PDF
In mayor-council cities, are city elections nonpartisan and, if so, are they required to
stay non-partisan? - PDF
Once the city passes a resolution, does it stay in effect for future elections? - PDF
2008 Municipal Election Information (General)
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Why are certain employees subject to random drug testing under the League Non-CDL policy while other employees and city council members are not? - PDF
Who hires and fires department heads such as police and fire chiefs? - PDF
Who hires and fires non-department head employees? - PDF
Are cities required to advertise city employment or appointment opportunities? - PDF
What authority do individual council members have to supervise personnel matters and other day-to-day operations of the city? - PDF
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Must a city adopt a budget and, if so, how does that occur? - PDF
Can the budget be altered periodically? - PDF
When must a city take bids in order to purchase goods or services? - PDF
Should we take bids for professional services? - PDF
Can a city or town borrow money for operating purposes? - PDF
Can the city, using city funds, purchase employees Christmas gifts such as cash, fruit baskets, gift certificates, etc.? - PDF
May the city donate money to private non-profit charitable organizations such as a senior citizen's center, or boys/girls clubs? - PDF
Must city officials be bonded? If so, where do we purchase the bonds? - PDF
When may a city impose fees or taxes without an election? - PDF
May we charge a license fee or tax on businesses from out of town doing business in our city? - PDF
Must our city or town pay sales tax? - PDF
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Does the Freedom of Information Act require the city to allow a citizen to inspect and copy documents showing the salaries of city employees and officials? - PDF
Do documents pertaining to investigation of employee misconduct have to be disclosed if requested under the Freedom of Information Act? - PDF
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How are city council meetings organized, and who is responsible for such organization? - PDF
Do we have to follow Roberts Rules of Order for our council meetings? - PDF
We have several citizens who come to our meetings and want to address the council. They want
to stand up at any time during the meeting and talk for as long as they want. They ask questions of all the council members and generally cause the meeting to go on much longer than necessary. Do we have to let citizens address the city council? Can we set up rules about how such public commentary will be taken? - PDF
What is the proper procedure for setting the agenda? - PDF
How many votes are needed to pass an item by a city commission? Is it a majority of the whole number or a majority of those present? - PDF
How many votes does it take to fill a vacancy on a six-member council? - PDF
What is the difference between an ordinance and a resolution? - PDF
How many votes are needed to pass an ordinance or resolution? - PDF
What if some members are absent. Does it then take fewer votes to pass? - PDF
When can the mayor vote? - PDF
When does an ordinance without an emergency clause go into effect? - PDF
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What happens to our utility deposits that go unclaimed by customers who move away? - PDF
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