Riverton, Utah - City GovernmentRiverton, Utah is a city of the 3rd class as defined by Utah State Code. Riverton City operates using a “six-member council" form of government, which means there are six elected officials that make up the governing body: a mayor and five councilmembers. [See: Utah Code § 10-3b-301.] 

The city council holds all authority to adopt ordinances, pass resolutions, adopt annual budgets, regulate zoning and land development, establish city fees, create long-range plans for city services and utilities, and set regulatory standards for the provision of other city services. 

The mayor serves as chair of the city council and chief executive officer of the city; casts a vote as a member of the city council when necessary to break a tie vote among councilmembers; when voting on the appointment or dismissal of a city manager; and when voting on whether to amend the powers of the office of the mayor. The mayor represents the city in its external relationships and fulfills ceremonial functions. [See: Utah Code § 10-3b-302.]

On December 6, 2011, the Riverton City Council re-codified its municipal ordinances, and reaffirmed the long-standing office of city manager. This means that the city council has delegated the operational and day-to-day responsibilities of managing the city, its employees and services to a professional, full-time city manager. The city manager oversees all city departments and reports directly to the mayor and city council. Department heads report to the city manager.

The city council conducts meetings on a regular basis, normally twice per month.  In these meetings, the council conducts business by making motions, passing ordinances and resolutions and otherwise taking official action by vote of the council members on city matters. Citizens may also address the city council directly at the beginning of each meeting during a public comment period.

City council members are elected for terms of four years and terms are staggered so that only three elected officials’ terms expire at the same time. Municipal elections occur in odd years (2021, 2023, 2025 etc.) and are held during general elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

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