Title 14 — Local Government

Any city within the State of Arkansas having a population of two thousand five hundred (2,500) or more, according to the latest federal census, may become organized under the provisions of this chapter by proceeding as provided in this chapter.

(1) Acts 1957, No. 8, amending §§ 14-47-101 — 14-47-103, 14-47-105, 14-47-106 — 14-47-111, 14-47-114 — 14-47-121, 14-47-123 — 14-47-127, 14-47-131, 14-47-133, 14-47-134, and 14-47-136 — 14-47-139, shall be applicable to:(1) All cities of the first and second class hereafter elect…

(a) When a city effects a change of government under this chapter, it shall remain subject to and controlled by all laws, except those inconsistent with this chapter, which on the effective date of the reorganization applied to or governed the city, including, without limiting th…

(a) Any person who shall perform any service in the interest of any candidate for any office provided in this chapter in consideration of any money, promise of employment, or other valuable thing or any candidate who shall pay or make promises to pay such consideration shall be g…

(a) The form of government created by an organization under this chapter is called the management form of city government. (b) The form of government of a municipality operating under the control of a municipal council, under either § 14-43-201 et seq. or § 14-44-101 et seq., is …

(a) Any city in this state having a population of two thousand five hundred (2,500) or more according to the most recent federal census may call and hold an election to determine whether or not the city shall be organized under and governed by the manager form of city government …

(a) (1) (A) After the expiration of six (6) years from the date on which the first board of directors takes office in a city organized under this chapter, a petition may be presented to the mayor by the board of directors by ordinance or by petition signed by electors equal in nu…

(a) (1) A reorganization is effective when in connection with the reorganization of a municipality under this chapter an initial board of directors shall be elected and the respective terms of office of the directors commence or when changes are made under subdivision (a)(2)(D) o…

(a) (1) The seven (7) directors elected by a city reorganized under this chapter shall be known and designated as the board of directors of that city.(2) The board shall constitute the supreme legislative and executive body of the city and, subject to § 14-47-120(10), shall be ve…

(a) Candidates for the office of director shall be nominated and elected as follows:(1) (A) (i) A special election to elect the initial membership of the board shall be called by the mayor as provided in § 14-47-106.(ii) The mayor's proclamation shall be in accordance with § 7-11…

(a) A person who has been elected or appointed a director and neglects or refuses to qualify and serve as such is guilty of a violation and upon conviction shall be fined in any sum of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than three hundred dollars ($300). (b) Howeve…

(a) The holder of office of city director is subject to removal by the electors qualified to vote for a successor of the incumbent. (b) The procedure to effect the removal of the incumbent of this elective office shall be as follows:(1) (A) (i) A petition shall be filed with the …

If a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor or the office of a member of the board of directors, the board of directors shall fill the vacancy under § 14-42-103 at the first regular meeting after the vacancy occurs.

(a) The board of directors of any city with the city manager form of government may provide by ordinance for the compensation of board members. (b) Directors of a city having a population of at least four thousand (4,000) but not more than four thousand five hundred (4,500) and l…

(a) (1) A director of the city shall not be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contracts made with the city unless the board of directors of the city has enacted an ordinance specifically permitting a director to conduct business with the city and prescribing the extent o…

(a) (1) The board of directors shall organize by electing one (1) of their number as a chair to preside over the meetings of the board, the person so elected to have the title of “mayor”.(2) (A) Except as provided in subdivision (a)(2)(B) of this section, the mayor shall serve in…

(a) (1) The board shall also elect from its membership an assistant mayor who shall serve in such capacity for two (2) years or until his or her tenure of office as a director expires, whichever period may be shorter. Provided, however, that the board may prescribe at its option …

If both the mayor and assistant mayor should be absent or disabled from performing their duties, the board may designate by resolution one (1) of its members as acting mayor to serve during the absence or disability and no longer.

(a) (1) (A) The initial board of directors, as promptly as possible after effecting its organization, shall employ a city manager.(B) However, in cities with the city manager form of government having a population of more than one hundred thousand (100,000) persons according to t…

(1) The city manager shall have the following powers and duties:(1) (A) To the extent that such authority is vested in him or her through an ordinance enacted by the board of directors, a city manager may supervise and control all administrative departments, agencies, offices, an…

(a) If the city manager is absent from the city or is unable to perform his or her duties, if the board of directors or the mayor, if authorized, suspends the city manager, or if there is a vacancy in the office of city manager, the board, by resolution, or the mayor, if authoriz…

A.C.A. § 14-47-122Current through all legislation of the 2025 Regular Session.Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated Official EditionCopyright © 2026 by the State of Arkansas All rights reserved

(a) (1) A majority of the elected membership of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.(2) Except where otherwise provided by law, the concurring vote of a majority of those attending a meeting, provided a quorum is present, shall represe…

(a) The initiative and referendum laws of this state are applicable to cities reorganized under this chapter. (b) The number of signatures required upon any petition shall be computed upon the highest vote cast at the preceding general election for any position on the board of di…

(a) The approval by the board of directors of the budget shall amount to an appropriation for the purposes of the budget of the funds which are lawfully applicable to the different items therein contained. (b) The board may alter or revise the budget from time to time, and unpled…

The board of directors shall be obligated to have the financial affairs of the city audited annually by the Division of Legislative Audit of the State of Arkansas or by an independent certified public accountant who is not otherwise in the service of the city.

(a) If, on the effective date of the reorganization of any city under this chapter, a civil service plan for any municipal employees or officers shall be in effect in the city, reorganization under this chapter shall not terminate or otherwise impair the civil service plan. That …

(a) Any city in the State of Arkansas organized and operating under a management form of municipal government is authorized and empowered to enter into a deferred compensation agreement with any employee of the city for the purpose of deferring payment of any portion of the emplo…

(a) Whenever a police officer or firefighter of the city is killed in the actual performance of his or her official duties, the board of directors shall cause to be set aside for the use and benefit of his or her spouse and children or others necessarily dependent upon him or her…

(a) The board of directors shall have power to pass such ordinances and to make and enforce such rules and regulations as shall be necessary to promote the public health and to prevent and control disease. (b) Their jurisdiction in all matters pertaining to health and sanitation,…

(a) The board of directors may from time to time by ordinance:(1) Create any new municipal:(A) Department;(B) Office;(C) Employment;(D) Board;(E) Authority;(F) Commission; or(G) Agency;(2) (A) Appoint the personnel to serve in the department, office, employment, board, authority,…

(a) Any vacancy on any municipal board or commission of any city of the first class having a population of fewer than fifty thousand (50,000) and having a city manager form of government shall be filled by a majority vote of the board of directors of the city or by the mayor, if …

(a) Subject to the exceptions contained in § 14-47-108, every person appointed by the board of directors or by the mayor, if authorized as provided in § 14-47-108(a)(2)(E), to any municipal office, employment, or position or to membership on any board, authority, or commission sh…

(a) (1) (A) In the exercise by the board of directors of its authority in respect to the filling of vacancies in executive positions and memberships on municipal boards, authorities, and commissions, only those qualified electors of the city found by the directors to possess the …

No person shall hold an appointive position or employment in the pay of the city if that person is related by blood or marriage in the third degree either to a member of the board of directors or to the city manager. Provided, however, this prohibition shall not prevent a person …

All officers and employees of a city reorganized under this chapter with the exception of the city manager, whose bond requirement is controlled by § 14-47-119, shall be required to make bond in such amount, on such form, and with such security as may meet the approval of the boa…

(a) (1) An officer or employee elected or appointed in any city shall not be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract or job for work or materials, or the profits, or service to be furnished or performed for the city unless the board of directors of the city has enacte…

(a) (1) Before making a purchase of or contract for supplies, materials, or equipment and before obligating the city under a contract for the performance of services or for the construction of municipal improvements in which the anticipated cost to the city of the transaction exc…

Every ordinance or resolution granting any public utility franchise, or granting the right to occupy the streets, highways, bridges, or other public places in the city for any purpose shall be completed in the form in which it is finally passed and remain on file with the city cl…

(a) (1) Any municipality organized and operating under the city manager form of government may authorize the mayor of the municipality to have the following duties and powers by ordinance or by a majority of the qualified electors of the municipality by petition:(A) (i) The power…