In every city, basic decisions are made on a continuing basis with regard to the quality of life in the community. How many police officers are needed to make the city secure? Where should stop signs and traffic signals be placed? What types of parks and playgrounds are needed?
Since it is not practical for local voters to decide all these matters directly, it is necessary to delegate decision-making powers to the elected representatives--the city council. Thus each city council exists for one primary purpose: to develop public policy.
Public policy development is the process of making decisions about the city. It involves questions of where the city is going; how it should get there; what the city's problems are, how the council should try to solve them; and when they should be solved.
The process is amazingly complex. It required each council member to have an abiding belief in the city, an understanding of its people, and a concept of the appropriate role of government.
Mount Vernon is a Type A General Law Municipality and operates under the Council-City Administrator form of government. The governing body is made up of a mayor and five council members. Length of office for council members and the mayor are two-year staggered terms. The City Council appoints the City Administrator, City Attorney, Municipal Court Judge and City Secretary. All other staff members work either directly or indirectly under the direction of the City Administrator.
City of Mount Vernon
109 North Kaufman Street
P. O. Box 597
Mount Vernon, Texas 75457
Office: 903-537-2252 Fax: 903-537-2634
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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