Title 29, Municipal Government

(a) The assembly shall provide for its composition and for the form of its representation. (b) Not later than the first regular election that occurs after adoption of a final state redistricting plan under art. VI, sec. 10, Constitution of the State of Alaska, the assembly shall …

(a) Not later than two months after adoption of a final state redistricting plan under art. VI, sec. 10, Constitution of the State of Alaska, the assembly shall determine and declare by resolution whether the existing apportionment of the assembly meets the standards of AS 29.20.…

(a) A reapportionment ordinance approved by the voters, or a decision of the assembly that the standards of AS 29.20.060 do not require a change in apportionment, may be appealed to the commissioner. Fifty voters may submit a petition to the commissioner requesting the commission…

(a) The commissioner may request the superior court to enforce a reapportionment order issued under AS 29.20.090(e). (b) Each of the following is subject to judicial review: (1) a plan of reapportionment approved by the voters under AS 29.20.080(a); (2) a determination by the ass…

(a) A change in assembly apportionment or composition under AS 29.20.080 or 29.20.090 is effective beginning with the first regular election for members of the assembly that is held more than 60 days after the later of (1) approval of a reapportionment ordinance by the voters und…

The provisions of AS 29.20.080 — 29.20.110 apply to home rule and general law municipalities, except they do not apply to a (1) unified municipality; (2) home rule borough if the borough, by home rule charter, provides for reapportionment of the assembly.

Each first class city has a council of six members elected by the voters at large. Each second class city has a council of seven members elected by the voters at large. The council of a first or second class city may by ordinance provide for election of members other than on an a…

(a) A borough voter is eligible to be a member of the assembly and a city voter is eligible to be a member of the council. A member of the governing body who ceases to be a voter in the municipality immediately forfeits office. (b) A municipality may by ordinance establish a dura…

(a) A member of the governing body is elected for a three-year term and until a successor qualifies, unless a different term not exceeding four years is prescribed by home rule charter or ordinance. (b) Except when otherwise required by a change in composition or apportionment, i…

(a) The assembly shall elect from among its members a presiding officer and a deputy presiding officer to serve at the pleasure of the members, except that in a borough that has adopted a manager form of government under AS 29.20.460 — 29.20.510 the mayor serves as presiding offi…

The governing body may provide by ordinance the manner in which a vacancy occurs in any elected office except the office of mayor or school board member. Unless otherwise provided by ordinance, the governing body shall declare an elective office, other than the office of mayor or…

(a) If a vacancy occurs in a governing body, the remaining members shall, within 30 days unless a different period is provided by ordinance, appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. If less than 30 days remain in a term, a vacancy may not be filled. (b) Notwithstanding (a)…

(a) The executive power in a municipality is vested in a mayor. The mayor of a home rule or unified municipality is elected by the voters. The mayors of other municipalities are elected in accordance with AS 29.20.230. (b) The mayor acts as ceremonial head of government, executes…

(a) The mayor of a borough or first class city is elected at large. The mayor of a borough or first class city serves a term of three years, unless by ordinance a different term not to exceed four years is provided. The current term of an incumbent mayor may not be altered. The r…

(a) A voter of the municipality is eligible to hold the office of mayor in a borough or first class city. A member of the city council is eligible to hold the office of mayor in a second class city. (b) Residency requirements for the office of mayor not exceeding three years may …

(a) If a municipality has not adopted a manager plan of government, the mayor is the chief administrator and the mayor has the same powers and duties as those of a manager under AS 29.20.500. (b) The mayor may take part in the discussion of a matter before the governing body. The…

The borough mayor, subject to assembly approval, shall designate a person to act as mayor during the borough mayor's temporary absence or disability. If a manager plan has been adopted, the assembly shall designate by resolution a borough administrative official to act as manager…

(a) Except as provided in (c) — (e) of this section, the mayor may veto an ordinance, resolution, motion, or other action of the governing body and may strike or reduce appropriation items. (b) A veto must be exercised before the next regular meeting of the governing body and mus…

(a) The governing body shall, by two-thirds concurring vote, declare the office of mayor vacant only when the person elected (1) fails to qualify or take office within 30 days after election or appointment; (2) unless excused by the governing body, is physically absent for 90 con…

(a) Each municipal school district has a school board. Except as provided in (b) of this section, members of a school board are elected at the regular election for three-year terms and until their successors take office. Members are elected at large unless a different method of e…

(a) The governing body of a municipality operating a public utility may provide by ordinance for a utility board of five members and define the board's powers and duties. (b) As determined by ordinance, members of a utility board are either appointed by the mayor and confirmed by…

(a) The governing body may by ordinance establish advisory, administrative, technical, or quasi-judicial boards and commissions. (b) Members of boards and commissions, except for members of the board of adjustment and assembly members serving on the board of equalization, are app…

Unless otherwise provided by ordinance, the municipal clerk, attorney, treasurer, and police chief are appointed by the chief administrator. Unless otherwise provided by ordinance, an official described in this section serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority and, if ap…

The municipal attorney is the legal advisor of the governing body, the school board, and the other officials of the municipality. The municipal attorney represents the municipality as attorney in civil and criminal proceedings. The school board may hire independent counsel when i…

(a) The municipal clerk shall (1) attend meetings of the governing body and its boards and committees as required and keep the journal; (2) have custody of the official municipal seal; (3) assure that notice and other requirements for public meetings are complied with and assure …

(a) Except as provided in AS 14.14.060, the treasurer is the custodian of all municipal funds. The treasurer shall keep an itemized account of money received and disbursed. The treasurer shall pay money on vouchers drawn against appropriations. (b) The treasurer shall give bond t…

(a) The governing body may establish municipal departments and distribute functions among them. (b) Each municipal department is administered by a department head. With the consent of the governing body, the mayor may serve as head of one or more departments or a single administr…

(a) Except as provided by (b) of this section, appointments and promotions of municipal employees are made on the basis of merit. The governing body may provide for a personnel system and classified service. (b) By ordinance the governing body may designate confidential or manage…

(a) A municipality may adopt a manager plan of government. Adoption of a manager plan may be initiated either by petition or by motion adopted by the governing body. (b) A petition for the adoption of a manager plan shall meet the requirements of AS 29.26.110 — 29.26.160 except, …

The governing body shall provide by ordinance or resolution for a vote on the question of adopting a manager plan at the next election when it (1) receives a petition to submit the question to the voters that has been certified as sufficient by the clerk; or (2) adopts a motion t…

(a) If a manager plan is approved, the governing body shall, within 60 days, adopt the plan by ordinance or resolution. (b) The governing body shall notify the department of the adoption of a manager plan.

(a) The governing body shall appoint a manager by a majority vote of its membership. A manager is chosen on the basis of administrative qualifications and receives the compensation set by the governing body. A member of the governing body may not be appointed manager of the munic…

The manager may hire necessary administrative assistants and may authorize an administrative official to appoint, suspend, or remove subordinates. As chief administrator the manager shall (1) appoint, suspend, or remove municipal employees and administrative officials, except as …

A borough adopting a manager plan may, on agreement with a city in the borough, provide that the manager of the city serve also as borough manager. A city adopting a manager plan may, on agreement with the borough in which it is located, provide that the manager of the borough se…

A municipality may repeal a manager plan by following the procedures under AS 29.20.460 — 29.20.480 for adoption of a manager plan, except the question shall be whether the manager plan should be repealed. Within 60 days after certification of the election approving repeal of a m…

Before taking office a municipal official shall affirm in writing that the duties of the office will be honestly, faithfully, and impartially performed by the official. The oath is filed with the municipal clerk.

The manager and the other municipal officials or employees that the governing body may designate shall give bond in the amount and with the surety prescribed by the governing body. Premiums on bonds are paid by the municipality.

The governing body shall by ordinance provide a method of determining the salaries of elected officials. The salary of the mayor may not be reduced during the term of office of the mayor, unless during the term a manager plan is adopted. An elected official may not receive compen…

(a) A person may not be appointed to or removed from municipal office or in any way favored or discriminated against with respect to a municipal position or municipal employment because of the person's race, color, sex, creed, national origin or, unless otherwise contrary to law,…

(a) A municipality shall file with the department (1) maps and descriptions of all annexed or detached territory; (2) a copy of the annual audit, or, for a second class city, an audit or statement of annual income and expenditures; (3) tax assessment and tax levy figures as reque…