Grand Island has a Mayor-Council form of government. The City Council, as the governing body, adopts ordinances and determines policy which directs City government. The ten member City Council is composed of two representatives from each of the five voting wards. A City Council President is elected by the Council each year. The Mayor is the presiding officer at Council meetings.  Meetings are called to order by the Mayor, and conducted in an orderly, parliamentary manner.

A City Administrator reports to the Mayor and City Council, and is responsible for carrying out established policies and providing for the efficient administration of City activities. City staff provide information to assist in the Council deliberations. City staff is available to answer questions regarding agenda items.

Grand Island's Mayor is elected at large for a four-year term. The Mayor works together with the City Council to establish goals and objectives for the city and formulate policy to achieve them. The Mayor presides over official meetings, serving as the executive officer for the City. The Mayor votes, only when his/her vote is the deciding vote. The Mayor has the power to veto any ordinance or resolution. A 2/3 majority, or seven votes of the Council, is required to override the Mayor's veto.  The Mayor is also responsible for appointments to citizen boards and commissions, and represents the City at official proceedings.  The Mayor receives an annual salary of $13,000 for the part-time job.

A City Council meeting involves making and amending laws, developing policy, and making decisions for the governing of Grand Island. Unless changed by Resolution of the City Council, the Council meets in regular session on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 East First Street. Study Sessions, which include in-depth reviews and presentations, are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. All meetings are open to the public. Special meetings of the Council are held as needed.

City Council wards are sections of the city represented by two each of the ten council members. Find which ward you live in and click  the ward on the map to find information on your council representative.

CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION
SUBMITTAL OF PUBLIC REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
    Persons wishing to address the mayor and City Council regarding any agenda item must come forward and reserve time teo speak on that item.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
PUBLIC HEARINGS
    A public hearing is a formal process intended to solicit public comment. A public hearing is structured in part, to meet legal requirements. After a brief presentation on the item, any public comment will be heard.
ORDINANCES
    An Ordinance is the most formal type of Council action and may be repealed or changed only by another Ordinance. Ordinances represent the laws of the City. General policy of the Grand Island City Council is to suspend the statutory rules requiring ordinances to be read by title on three different days. Eight votes are required to suspend the rules. Ordinances are considered for passage on the same day upon reading by number only, and then placed on the final passage, and calls for a roll call vote on both readings. The Ordinance must be approved by a majority of the Council on both its first and final reading in order to be adopted. Unless the Ordinance becomes law 15 days after publication.
CONSENT AGENDA
REQUESTS AND REFERRALS
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
ADJOURNMENT

Citizen participation in Council meetings is invited and encouraged by the City Council. The public is welcome at all Council meetings. Citizens can speak regarding an agenda item after that item has been presented. To assure fair consideration of each item and to allow all viewpoints to be presented, the following general rules will be followed: 

• Each person wishing to address the Council should reserve time to speak during the section of the meeting entitled "reserve Time to Speak on Agenda Items". At the appropriate time, the Mayor will call on those citizens who have reserved time to speak.
• Each person wishing to address the Council should approach the
  microphone at the lectern and state their name and address.
• Comments or inquires should be presented to the Mayor and City Council. There is a five minute time limit for all speakers unless extended by a majority vote of the Council.

If you have any questions about Council procedures or would like more information about how Council works please contact the City Clerk.

Election Information FAQ

What offices are elected in Grand Island?
The Mayor and ten City Council Members are the elected officials of the City of Grand Island. The Mayor is elected at-large and the City Council Members are elected from each of five wards. Each Council Member from each Ward is elected for a 4 year term alternately.

How often are the elections?
Elections are held every two years, with each Council Member up for election every four years. The primary election is held the first Tuesday after the second Monday in May and General Election is held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of each even numbered year.

What are the requirements to run for office?
The candidate must reside in the City Ward of the office sought, be a registered voter and a citizen of United States. No candidate is allowed to hold any other public elective office, and cannot be an officer, employee, or service in any capacity with the City government (except a City Council Member running for the office of Mayor).

Is there a charge to run for office?
Yes. The City of Grand Island charges 1% of the yearly salary received for that office. Thus, the filing fee to run for Mayor is $130.00 and $60.00 for City Council.

Are parties of candidates mentioned in elections?
All City elections are conducted on a nonpartisan basis; that is, references to party affiliation are not permitted on any campaign literature and do not appear on the ballot.