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Hunstville Government Facts

    The City of Huntsville is governed by a Strong Mayor/Council
    Mayor is elected for a term of 4 years
    Mayor is Chief Executive and Administrator for Huntsville
    Appoints and supervises on a day to day basis the various departments of the City of Huntsville
    All ordinances must be submitted and approved by the mayor
    Has the power of veto. Veto can be overridden by a 4/5 vote of council
    Prepares a tentative budget

    Huntsville was incorporated in 1811
    First governing body Board of Trustees President of this board equivalent of Mayor
    1828-44 Aldermen selected the Mayor
    1844 act made Mayor elected by the people
    1812-83 Mayor served 1 year terms
    1883 changed to 2 year terms
    1888 act called for Mayor to be selected by Aldermen
    1889 act restore election of Mayor to the people
    1911 City Commission form of government President equivalent of Mayor
    1916 return to Mayor/Council form of government
    Act 108 of 1927 changed term of Mayor to 4 years

    City Council responsible for determining policies to be followed by the administration of the city and controls the finances
    Make various board appointments
    Made of 5 council districts established in 1988
    Terms are 4 years with staggered terms 1 &2 run with mayor 3,4, &5 run 2 years from that time
    Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday nights of each month and may call an Executive Session at any time
    1812-1828 Board of Trustees
    New Town Charter 1828 creating Mayor-Aldermen form 8 Aldermen
    Act of 1834 called for 2 Aldermen from each of the established 4 wards
    1911City Commission form, 3 persons elected for 3 years staggered terms
    From 1907 to 1911 Mayor-Council form President and 8 Aldermen
    1916 returned to Mayor-Council form a president and 8 Aldermen
    1956 Mayor-Council form with Mayor and 5 Councilmen elected by ward
    From 1811-83 Aldermen were elected for 1 year terms
    Act of 1883 changed to 2 year terms
    Act of 1888 placed the Aldermen on staggered 4 year terms
    1907 Act returned them to 2 year terms and a Council President office was created
    1958 a 5th ward was created adding 2 Aldermen making it a 10 man council plus a President
    Act 608 of 1927 changing terms back to 4 years

Geocaching
Do you know what geocaching is all about? Well, geocaching is a modern day treasure hunt. It's an exciting new twist on an old game. A treasure (or cache) is hidden and a coordinate is published for the hiding place. [Read More]

Other Fun & Games
Check out the puzzles and other fun games in the Fun for Me section of the website!

Did You Know?
Huntsville was the first capital of the state after being admitted to the union. More Fun Facts

Local Attractions
Huntsville has many local attractions/parks/museums and you can see an entire list here: Attractions


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