Local Government Positions
Each Boys State citizen is assigned to their own city and county, and there are a number of elected and appointed positions. Posted below are descriptions of city and county positions that are available.
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CITY GOVERNMENT JOBS
The mayor is the city's chief executive officer. He presides at all meetings of the city council and gives information to the council. He makes recommendations to and has supervision over the several departments of the City government. He sees that the laws relating to the city ordinances and regulations of the council are enforced.
Duties/Actions
- Preside at all city council meetings
- Appoint various city officers
- Supervise the work of all appointive officers and hold them responsible for proper performance of their duties
- Issue proclamations as he sees fit
- May participate in a mayor exchange
- Perform some counselor duties (roll calls, bed checks, announcements)
The city council is the legislative authority of a city as granted by charter. Council members are elected by the people either at large or by wards and receive minimal compensation. They pass ordinances and resolutions, approve the buying of materials and services for the city.
Duties/Actions
- Complete discussion of the city council agenda
- Assist city clerk with assembling the city book
- Consider the mayor's recommendations regarding legislative measures, appointments, etc
- Hear reports submitted by the mayor and other elective and appointive officers
- Fills vacancies that may develop in elective or appointive offices on account of resignation, etc
The clerk has the custody of all documents, official bonds, papers, files, and records of the city which are not entrusted to some other officer. He is ageneral accountant and is liable for tax reports. He has supervision over monies and property. He makes a financial report to the council. He is the clerk of the council.
Duties/Actions
- Attend the meetings of the city council and keep a Record of its proceedings
- Sign and attest ordinances
- Prepare a list of names listing the citizens within his city who hold elective office
- Appoint assistants as he sees fit
- Maintain a complete file on the city's activities including participation in band, chorus, paper, and elections, recreational activity results, ordinances, City charter, and anything that may be considered appropriate for the city book
- Organize supplementary elections (initiative and referendum)
- Verify signatures on petition (use a city alpha roster)
- Make up ballots
- Set up a polling place
- Publicize election
- Provide and take care of absentee ballots
He acts as the principal agent of law enforcement in the city and sees that all ordinances are observed and order is maintained. The mayor appoints this position, and it must be confirmed by the city council.
Duties/Actions
- Enforces city laws.
- May report to city council concerning a shift to a public safety department.
- Appoint assistants as he sees fit.
He supervises and directs the fire department and has leadership over boards which the council may appoint. These boards have authority to hear, try, and determine all suits and prosecutions for the recovery or enforcing of fines, penalties and forfeitures imposed by ordinances of the city, and to punish offenders for violation of such. The mayor appoints this position, and it must be confirmed by the city council.
Duties/Actions
- Suggest ordinances for fire codes to the city council.
- Inspect city fire hazards, including piles of clothes or paper, electrical connections, and anything else that may be contrary to the fire code.
- Check the fire-fighting equipment of his area to make certain that it is in working condition.
- Organize a volunteer fire department consisting of 3-5 citizens for emergency purposes
The city attorney is the legal advisor and counsel for all officers and departments of the city. He is present at all council meetings. The mayor appoints this position, and it must be confirmed by the city council.
Duties/Actions
- Writes ordinances.
- Checks to assure the language of an initiative or referendum is legal.
He has the custody of monies, bonds, mortgages, notes, leases and other evidence of value belonging to the city. He makes a monthly report to the clerk and a yearly report to the council. He is the treasurer of the local "public school" district. He receives all monies for the same and pays out monies according to the warrants and vouchers of the board of education. The mayor appoints this position, and it must be confirmed by the city council.
He is in charge of advanced city planning and changes made within the city using government funds. Creates the city plan (map). Supervises laying down roads. The mayor appoints this position, and it must be confirmed by the city council.
- Sees that the city is represented in scheduled contests.
- Attends all scheduled meetings for city athletic directors.
- Responsible for safe-keeping of city athletic equipment
- Keep citizens advised to recreational activities and schedule changes.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT JOBS
The sheriff is the keeper of the county jail and the chief law enforcement officer in the field for the county.
Duties/Actions
- Patrols county for law breakers.
- May testify in court cases.
- Writes rules and regulations for prisoners.
- Responsible for the arrest and safekeeping of persons charged with crimes in the county. He is the official jailer, and in case a citizen is sentenced to labor as a penalty violation of the law, he or one of his deputies will supervise the carrying out of the prisoner's sentence.
The prosecutor must appear for the state or county to prosecute or defend it in all suits, application, and motions. The prosecutor is the legal representative for the county in all criminal or civil cases involving the county. The position may also require giving legal opinions in cases where the state or county is a party, or fraud and child support cases.
Duties/Actions
- Represent the county in court cases
- Appoint deputy or deputies who represent his office in courts when prosecutor is too busy.
- Bring to trial any public official suspected of misconduct in office.
Local Government Information
Each city in Boys State has its own set of issues and demographics. Here is a breakdown by city of all the relevant statistics for each city. You need Adobe PDF Reader to view these files. If you notice any errors or misspellings, please contact the webmaster. Thanks!