Calgary City Council
| Calgary City Council | |
|---|---|
Coat of Arms of Calgary
|
|
| Type | |
| Type | |
| History | |
|
New session started
|
November 2013 |
| Leadership | |
|
Naheed Nenshi
Since October 25, 2010 |
|
| Structure | |
| Seats | 15 |
| Committees | Boards, Commissions and Committees |
| Elections | |
|
Last election
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October 21, 2013 |
|
Next election
|
October 16, 2017 |
| Motto | |
| Onward | |
| Meeting place | |
| Calgary Municipal Building | |
| Website | |
| www |
|
The Calgary City Council is the legislative governing body that represents the citizens of Calgary. The Council consists of 15 members; the Chief Elected Official, titled the Mayor, and 14 councillors. Naheed Nenshi was elected to the Office of the Mayor in October 2010 as the city's 36th. Each of the 14 councillors, represent one of the city's 14 wards.
The mayor of Calgary is elected through a city-wide vote by all eligible voters. The mayor represents the interests of the city as a whole. The councillors are elected by the constituents of each ward. The councillors represent the interests of their respective wards. The mayor and councillors hold the office for 4 year terms. The last municipal election was held on October 21, 2013.
Calgary's City Council is a council-policy committee system. The Council establishes its policies for governing the city based on information provided by four standing policy committees:
1. Planning and Urban Development 2. Transportation and Transit 3. Utilities and Corporate Services 4. Community and Protective Services
These committees meet once every month at City Hall and are composed of councillors and are responsible for approving and recommending policies to City Council. The general public is invited to the committee meeting to make presentations. Any decisions that come out of these meetings need final approval from the Council as a whole.
There are also a number of civic committees, boards, and authorities that help to create policies in specialized areas, such as parking, the preservation of heritage sites and buildings, and planning and development matters. These civic committees, board and authorities consist of citizens and one or more alderman.
City Council meets three Mondays every month in the Council Chambers at the Calgary Municipal Building. Two meetings are regular Council meetings, where issues from the four policy committees are discussed. The third meeting is a public hearing, where planning matters are generally discussed. Citizens do not address Council during the two regular meetings, however the public hearings are designed for the citizens to speak directly with their elected aldermen regarding specific issues.
The city had an operating budget of $2.1 billion for 2007, supported 41% by property taxes. $757 million in property taxes are collected annually, with $386 million from residential and $371 million from non-residential properties. 54% of the budget is spent for wages of the 13,043 city employees and expeditures. The average Calgary household pays approximately $2,100 per year in city tax.
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Wikipedia