Work with City Manager
The mayor works in a consulting role with the city manager on administrative issues. By ordinance, the city manager reports to the city council, but as the chair of the city council, the mayor works with the city manager on a daily basis.
Advocate for the Community
The mayor's role is to be an advocate for members of the community to solve problems with government groups. We work groups such as UDOT and the Davis School District to work through issues and resolve problems
Cotton Candy Maker
All well run cities can trace their success back to the mayor's ability to make a light and fluffy cotton candy with one hand.
Vote in Case of a Tie
In rare circumstances the mayor may break a tie by voting. This can only happen when there are four council members present at the council meeting.
Ethics and Transparency
The mayor must ensure that good communication happens between the city and the members of the community. The mayor is a watchdog the make sure the council and staff follow the highest ethical standards.
What does the Mayor really do?
The mayor's role may be a little different than you may think. It is not the stereotypical person that is portrayed on Andy Griffith or the Music Man. This page describes the basic duties of the mayor set forth by statute and by tradition.
Chair of the City Council.
The city council has six members: five council members and the mayor. The mayor's role is to conduct the meetings and set the agenda for the meeting. The mayor does not vote, except when there is a tie or when hiring or firing the city manager.
It is the mayor's responsibility to ensure that the city's business is conducted in a timely manner and that the meetings are run effectively and with decorum.
Representative of the City to the Broader Community.
The mayor represents the city on a variety of councils. The mayor is a member of the Council of Governments in Davis County. The mayor sits on the board of Wasatch Integrated Waste Management (a.k.a. the burn plant and land fill) and represents the city on the Wasatch Front Regional Council (the transportation planning body).
Many times the impression given by the mayor is the impression people take away about the community. It is important that the mayor always put the best foot forward when representing the city to the city to the broader community
Ceremonial Leader of the City.
The mayor is the voice and face of the city in community events, such as the 4th of July and Founder's Day events. It is the mayor's role to select the Unsung Hero and the Mother of the Year each year. The mayor has the authority to perform civil marriages.