City of Watonga Changes to Municipal Government

  • City of Watonga Changes to Municipal Government
    City of Watonga Changes to Municipal Government

On June 11, 2019 the Citizens of Watonga voted to approve the transition in the form of government, from an aldermanic form of government to a council- manager form of government.

Since then, the current City Council has worked to prepare for this transition. They hired an Interim City Manager and worked with the City Attorney to lay out the procedures and timeline for this transition of municipal government.

This new Council — Manger form of government will have five Council Members. One will be from each of the four wards in Watonga and must reside in the ward they will represent. The fifth Council Member will be an "at large" Council Member and could reside anywhere within the City Limits.

Just like previous municipal elections, voters will vote on all five Council Members no matter the ward the voter resides in.

As in previous municipal elections, the filling period will be Monday February 1, 2021 to Wednesday February 3, 2021 and the municipal election will be April 6, 2021.

The first Council Meeting after the election is scheduled for April 20, 2021 and all five new Council Members will be sworn in at that time. Also, at that time, the Council will elect a Mayor from among themselves. This Mayor will serve a two year term.

In order to facilitate rotating Council positions, this first election, and only for this first election, Ward 3 and Ward 4 and the Council

Member at large will be elected for two year terms. With the election in 2023 and there after, alternating Council positions will be for four year terms.

We hope this explains some concerns about the changes in you Municipal Government. And, we hope to encourage the people of Watonga to participate in your local government. Consider running for City Council. And, please remember to vote on April 6. If there are any questions please call, email or come by the City Clerk's Office. 580 623 4669, watongacc@gmail.com or 117 N. Weigle.

A current Ward Map is available on our web site at cityofwatonga.org. Ward maps could be subject to change before the 2023 election depending on the 2020 U. S. Census results.