FORM OF GOVERNMENT
The form of government of the City of New Sharon, Iowa is the Mayor|Council form of government.
NUMBER AND TERM OF COUNCIL
The Council consists of five (5) Council members elected at large for overlapping terms of four (4) years.
POWERS AND DUTIES
The powers and duties of the Council include, but are not limited to the following:
General All powers of the City are vested in the Council except as otherwise provided by law or ordinance.
Wards By ordinance, the Council may divide the City into wards based upon population, change the boundaries of wards, eliminate wards or create new wards.
Fiscal Authority The Council shall apportion and appropriate all funds, and audit and allow all bills, accounts, payrolls and claims, and order payment thereof. It shall make all assessments for the cost of street improvements, sidewalks, sewers and other work, improvement or repairs which may be specially assessed.
Public Improvements The Council shall make all orders for the construction of any improvements, bridges, or buildings.
Contracts The Council shall make or authorize the making of all contracts. No contract shall bind or be obligatory upon the City unless approved by the Council.
Employees The Council shall authorize, by resolution, the number, duties, term of office and compensation of employees or officers not otherwise provided for by State law or the Code of Ordinances.
Setting Compensation for Elected Officers By ordinance, the Council shall prescribe the compensation of the Mayor, Council members, and other elected City officers, but a change in the compensation of the Mayor does not become effective during the term in which the change is adopted, and the Council shall not adopt such an ordinance changing the compensation of any elected officer during the months of November and December in the year of a regular City election. A change in the compensation of Council members becomes effective for all Council members at the beginning of the term of the Council members elected at the election next following the change in compensation.