City Council

Waterville has a Council-Manager form of government.  The City Council is the governing board of the City of Waterville and is made up of seven members.  The Council's duties and powers are set forth in Articel IV the City Charter a portion of which is shown below:

A.        Adopt the annual budget of the City and appropriate money for all City purposes;

B.         Authorize the issuance of bonds by a bond order;

C.        Consider recommendations from the Search Committee and approve, by a majority vote of the City Councilors present, appointment of a City Manager and a City Solicitor and the contracts specifying the terms of employment.  If necessary, remove the City Manager and City Solicitor in accord with provisions set forth in this Charter;

D.        Establish administrative Departments pursuant to the provisions of this Charter, establish appropriate minimum qualifications for Department Directors, and revise the administrative code by ordinance;  

E.         Adopt, upon recommendation of the City Manager, a pay plan for all persons employed by the City, except those whose compensation is fixed by this Charter or by state statute, and adopt by ordinance the rules and regulations of a municipal personnel policy;

F.         Provide, by ordinance, for appropriate boards or commissions as it shall deem advisable to serve in an advisory capacity, or to perform quasi-judicial functions, or to act as a board of appeal in the administration of regulatory ordinances;

G.        Confirm, by a majority vote of the City Councilors present, all appointments made by the Mayor to boards or commissions;

H.        Conduct investigations of the operation of any office or Department administering the affairs of the City, or on any subject upon which it may legislate. In conducting investigations, the City Council shall have the right to administer oaths, subpoena witnesses and compel the production of books and papers pertinent thereto;

I.          Authorize, by ordinance, executive and administrative officers of the City to issue licenses and permits;

J.          Authorize, by ordinance, executive and administrative officers of the City to make contracts pursuant to duly enacted appropriation orders.  Said ordinance shall specify a threshold dollar amount above which executive and administrative officers will be required to return to the City Council for approval; and

K.        Establish, by ordinance, fines and penalties for the violation of its ordinances.