General Local Government

AWC is advancing the following two bills that will address state Auditor or Attorney General findings. They have both been referred to the House Local Government Committee but have not yet been scheduled for public hearing.

Filling a Vacancy in the Office of Mayor (HB 1391)

This proposal clarifies that incumbent council members in mayor-council cities or towns are eligible to be appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor without having to resign their council seat first. In addition, the bill removes the restriction that second class cities must only choose a mayoral replacement from among the sitting council members.

Mid-Term Increases in the Cost of Medical Benefits (HB 1392)

The Attorney General, in a recent memorandum, determined that a mid-term increase in the cost of medical benefits provided to council members or mayors would constitute a prohibited increase in compensation. Research into current state statute reveals that for other local governments, such as county elected officials and fire protection district and utility commissioners, there is an exemption to the compensation issue for costs associated with medical benefits. This AWC proposal simply adds cities to the current local government exemptions.

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