Mayor and City Commission

Commission Purpose

The City of Newberry is governed by an elected mayor and five-member city commission who are responsible for carrying out any lawful purpose for the advancement of the interest, welfare, health, morals, comfort, safety, and convenience of the city and its inhabitants as outlined in the City Charter.

• The Mayor presides over meetings of the Commission and serves as the legislative head of the government.  
• The City Commission sets policy in the areas of economic development, planning, fire prevention and suppression, public works, parks, recreation, finance, utilities, and public works.
• The City Commission appoints and removes the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk.
• The City Commission adopts a budget, levies taxes, collects revenues and makes appropriations and authorizes the issuance of bonds.  
• The City Commission determine policy by adopting ordinances and resolutions, appropriating funds, and exercising other essential legislative duties.

Structure of Newberry's Government

The City of Newberry has a Council-Manager Plan form of government. The City Commission (consisting of the Mayor and 5 Commissioners) has and exercises power and control via decision making, establishing policy for the City (legislative function), while the City Manager has the responsibility for ensuring that those decisions and policies are carried out (executive function).

Regular city commission meetings are typically held twice a month to conduct city business and provide citizens with an opportunity to participate in the government process. In addition, the commission meets for workshops on specific issues.