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Mayor & Council

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1. When does Council meet?

Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month. Other "Special Meetings" are called as needs arise. These special meetings are announced in the official newspaper (The Ark Valley News). You can also sign up to be notified of Special Meetings by either visiting City Hall or completing and submitting the on-line form. Ark Valley News

2. What is the Population of Valley Center?

As of the 2010 U.S. Census the official population of Valley Center was 6,822.

3. How can I find out when Special Meetings are scheduled?

UnderK.S.A. 75-4318, you may make written request to be notified of public meetings. In Valley Center this is accomplished by completing and submitting the Citizen Request for Open Meeting Notification form. This form is good for the calendar year. To continue receiving notifications you must renew notification of your desire to be notified each year.

KOMA meeting request form (submitted annually)

4. How can I serve on a committee, commission, or board?

Contact your Ward representative or the Mayor and let your desires be known. Vacancies occur at various times during the year. The Mayor appoints individuals, subject to approval of Council. Interested individuals are encouraged to get involved!

5. Is there a time during the council meetings when citizen concerns can be voiced?

Yes! There is a time set aside on every Council agenda for people to speak about, or question, items that are not on the regular agenda. On the agenda this is listed as "Public Forum" and is a part of every regular meeting.

6. Are there time limits imposed on individuals who wish to speak at a Council meeting?

In the interest of moving the meeting along, speakers are typically allowed five minutes. If the issue has a large number of speakers wishing to address Council, the time limits can be reduced. Speakers with more information to share than can be adequately accomplished during this time frame are encouraged to prepare written documentation. Copies will be distributed to Council and Mayor. During an official public hearing, speakers will be given the full five-minute allocation of time.

7. When are City Council elections held?

Council elections are held every two years in November during odd numbered years. The mayor is elected every fourth year.

8. Who represents me on the Council?

Valley Center is divided into four Wards. Each Ward is represented by two elected Council Members living in that Ward. These members serve four year terms and are elected on rotation every two years. The mayor is elected at-large and also serves a four year term.

9. Can someone tell me who my representatives are?

Certainly. If you are unable to determine the identity of your Council representatives, contact City Hall at (316) 755-7310. Give Staff your address and they will give you the names and contact information for your representatives. Mayor / Council Web Page

10. How many Wards is the City divided into?

As required by State statute for cities with a population in excess of 5,000, Valley Center is divided into four Wards. Two representatives are elected from each Ward to serve on the Council. Each representative serves a four-year term. One position in each Ward is elected every two years. An interactive Ward map is available online to assist you in determining which Ward you live in and who your representatives are on the Council. The Ward Maps help you identify your Ward.

11. How are vacancies on the Council filled?

As with other committees, commissions, and boards, the Mayor is responsible for making appointments which are then subject to the approval of Council. As dictated by Kansas statute 14-308, the person appointed to fill the vacancy will complete the unexpired term of the vacancy they are appointed to fill.

12. What is the position of "President of the Council"?

Every two years, the Council elects one of it's members to serve in this capacity. This Council member is responsible to preside over the meetings during the Mayor's absence. The President of the Council also assumes the role as Mayor if the Mayor is unable to complete his/her term of office. In the event the Mayor is not able to complete his/her term, the President of the Council becomes the Mayor until the next election, which are held in odd numbered years. Kansas Statute defining City Officers

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13. Who is the President of the Council?

The current President of the Council is Ben Anderson from Ward 4. To send Council President Anderson an email please click here.

14. What is the difference between Council and Governing Body?

Council is comprised of two elected representatives from each of the four Wards in the City. The eight members of the Council, together with the Mayor make up the Governing Body. In other words, the Mayor is not a member of the City Council. Kansas Statute 12-104 defines the difference as outlined above.

15. When is the Mayor allowed to vote?

Under the Mayor/Council/Administrator form of government, the mayor has an "original" vote only on Charter Ordinances. The Mayor may also cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie vote of Council. The mayor is not required to vote in case of a tie. When the President of the Council conducts the meeting during the absence of the Mayor, the President retains his/her right to an original vote on all matters coming before the Governing Body. The mayor is the only member of the Governing Body whose vote is restricted. Passage of ordinances requires a majority of the members-elect, regardless of how many are in attendance or if vacancies exist. In the case of Valley Center, this number is five (5). It is possible for a motion on an ordinance to receive a majority of the votes of the members present, but still fail to gather the five votes necessary. According to Kansas Statute 12-3002, if the votes in favor of the motion reaches one less than the required number, the mayor can cast the fifth vote necessary for adoption of the ordinance. Vacancies caused by resignation or a vacancy caused by any other reason does not change the number required to meet the test of "a majority of the members elect", nor does it change the number required for a quorum. Council must have a quorum to conduct business. The mayor does not count when determining the presence of a quorum. 

16. Can the mayor in Valley Center veto actions taken by the Council?

While very seldom done, the mayor can veto ordinances passed by Council, with the exception of Appropriation and Charter ordinances. Council can override a mayor veto by a vote of 3/4 of the members-elect of the Council. This is not 3/4 of the members present, but rather 3/4 of the entire Council. Unfilled vacancies on the Council do not make this required number less. In the case of Valley Center with eight elected members of the Council, six votes are needed to override a mayor veto. The mayor has no veto authority other than of ordinances, as previously stated. More...

17. Can I submit a request, or report a problem, online?

Some requests can be submitted, while others require you to visit or call City Hall at (316) 755-7310. Valley Center is moving toward more and more available information on the website. Check back frequently for additional online services. Submit online request.

18. Does Valley Center have term limits for the Mayor and/or members of the Council?

No. Some cities do set term limits for these positions; however Valley Center does not have such limits on the number of consecutive times an individual may be elected.

19. What does the term "members-elect" mean?

"Members-elect" is the total number of positions authorized on the council, or appointed body, regardless of vacancies. In Valley Center, there are eight (8) positions on the Council. The Mayor is not part of the Council (See the FAQ topic "What is the difference between Council and Governing Body" for additional information). In the event there are seats open due to resignation, or absence during a single meeting; the number of positions authorized or the number of "members-elect" remains the same. This is one of the reasons it is so important to fill vacancies on the Council as soon as possible.