The duties of the Mayor include (but are not limited to):
The Mayor is responsible for the overall operation of the
city government. The
mayor serves for a term of four years, and the office is not subject to term
limits. A person
is eligible to serve as mayor if he of she has resided in the city for one
year prior to the
election (IC 3-1-8-26). If the mayor ceases to be a resident of the city, he
of she forfeits
the office of Mayor (IC 36-4-5-2). The mayor's powers and duties include:
Enforcing the ordinances of the city and the statutes of the state.
Providing any information regarding city affairs that the common council requests.
Calling special meetings of the common council when necessary.
Ensuring efficient government of the city.
Filling vacancies in city offices when required.
Signing all bonds, deeds, and contracts of the city and all licenses issued by the city.
Approving or vetoing ordinances, orders, and resolutions of the legislative body (veto power,
subject to council override, may be exercised on a line item basis on
appropriations measures (IC 36-4-6-16).
Appoint the heads of executive departments, employees of the departments and many if not
most, board and commission members (IC 36-4-5-4; 36-4-9-2 and 36-4-11-2).
Suspend or remove officers and employees appointed by the mayor (IC 36-4-11-2).
Fix the salaries of all appointed officials and employees (except police and firefighters and
appointees of the clerk or clerk-treasurer) subject to reduction by the
common council (IC 36-4-5- through 7).
In third class cities, serve as presiding officer of the council and vote only in order to
break a tie (IC 36-4-6-8).
Solemnize marriages.
