Governance
Berryville Government at Work
City of Berryville City Council
The City of Berryville operates under a Mayor-Council form of government. In this system, the City Council is the legislative and policy-making body of city government. The Berryville City Council sets City policy by passing ordinances and resolutions. The Council also determines the City budget and appoints and removes certain Board, Committee, and Commission members.
If you live East of Highway 21 you are in Ward 1. If you live West of Highway 21 you are in Ward 2. City Council members must live in their Ward, but are voted in at large.
All other city department officials are appointed by the Mayor with the approval of City Council.
Commissions
Berryville Commissions serve as regulatory bodies, providing oversight for zoning, planning, appearance and other issues. Unlike the City Council, which is elected, commission members are appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of council members.
Standing boards and commissions include:
- Cemetery Commission
- Parks Commission
- Planning Commission
Public Input
All meetings of the City Council are public meetings in accordance with the Arkansas Open Meetings Law. Notice of meetings (including all special meetings) are announced in the newspaper and Carroll County Radio stations.
All meetings of public bodies are required to be recorded in a manner that at least captures the sound of the meeting according to Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-106 (d))
Standard Order of Business is as follows:
- Call to Order
- Roll Call
- Reading of minutes of previous meeting
- Reports of boards and standing committees
- Reports of special committees
- Unfinished Business
- New Business
- Announcements
- Public Comment
- Adjournment
Citizens are given opportunity to speak during the “Public Comment” section of the meeting.
If a citizen would like to have multiple citizens speak on the same topic, it is recommended that you contact City Hall and ask that your topic be “placed on the agenda” for the next City Council Meeting. Each speaker will be given the public microphone for three minutes and the City Council will have opportunity to discuss the matter with citizen involvement.
It is recommended that all citizens be familiar with Robert’s Rules of Order before attending a City Hall meeting.
