The City of Columbia has a Council–Manager form of government. The City
Council is composed of the mayor and six ward representatives, an unpaid elected
body empowered by the charter to pass ordinances, establish policies, determine
zoning, approve subdivisions, amend the city land-use plan, make appointments to
boards and commissions and pass final judgement on most issues of government
interest. The council directly supervises the city manager, the city clerk, and
three municipal judges. The city manager is the chief administrator of Columbia
and all municipal department heads report to the manager directly.
The city is divided into six wards, and each elects one representative to the
council every three years on a rotating basis and elections are held each April.
The mayor is elected every three years as a council member at large. The mayor
presides over meetings and has the sole responsibility for some appointments to
boards or commissions. For more information contact the Daniel Boone Building,
701 E. Broadway, 65201 (573-874-7111).
Boone County was organized in 1820. The major decision-making body for the
county is the county commission. The commission is composed of three
commissioners; a presiding commissioner, who serves a four-year term and is
elected from the entire county, and two district commissioners, who serve
four-year terms and are elected from districts. In 1991, Boone County became a
First Class county. The commission operates within the limits of statutes
enacted by the state legislature. For more information, contact the Boone County
Government Center, 801 E Walnut St, Room 245, Columbia MO 65201 (573-886-4305).
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