As the head of the City, the Mayor officially speaks for both the government and the community as a whole. The Mayor is the presiding officer and a regular member of the City Council.

1. Official Head of the City.  The Mayor performs ceremonial duties on behalf of the community. The Mayor may greet important visitors, give formal and informal talks, and take part in public events.  Because local civic groups frequently ask the Mayor to speak, the Mayor must be prepared to explain and defend City problems and programs.  The Mayor is recognized as the official head of the City by the courts for the purpose of serving civil process and by the Governor for the purposes of martial law.
2. Executing Official Documents.  The Mayor must sign ordinances, resolutions, contracts, bonds, and instruments of any kind to which the City is a party.
3. Power to Make Some Appointments.  The Mayor has the authority to make appointments to City advisory commissions.
4. Presiding Officer at Council Meetings. The Mayor serves as presiding officer at Council meetings.  The Mayor generally recognizes speakers for debate and motions, and rules on questions of Council procedure.  The Mayor has an obligation to be impartial and objective in conducting the meeting.  The Mayor also has the authority to call special meetings.
5. Declaring Local Emergencies.  Only the Mayor can declare a local emergency.  A local emergency cannot last for more than three days except with the consent of the City Council.  A local emergency must receive prompt and general publicity.  The Clerk must promptly file any order or proclamation declaring, continuing, or terminating the emergency.

The Council Members' duties are performed by the Council as a whole, not by individual members.  The most important single responsibility of a Council Member is participation at Council meetings.

1. Judging the Qualification and Election of Its Own Members.  The Council certifies election results, determining whether an individual has the necessary qualifications to hold office.
2. Setting and Interpreting Rules Governing Its Own Proceedings.  The Council preserves order during its own meetings; establishes rules of procedure; and compels the attendance of members at meetings.
3. Exercising all the Powers of Cities that the Law Does Not Delegate to Others.  The Council has the authority to exercise all powers give to the City.
4. Legislating for the City.  The Council enacts ordinances by a majority vote of all its members.  The power to legislate also includes setting administrative policies and otherwise establishing public policy for the City.  The Council has the power to declare that violations of any ordinance are a crime and may prescribe penalties for ordinance violations.
5. Transacting City Business.  The transaction of City business includes a wealth of activities, such as purchasing, executing legal papers, taking bids, letting contracts, and making discretionary administrative decisions.
6. Managing the City's Financial Operations.  The Council has full authority over the City's financial affairs, but should seek the advice of their staff and of consultants in making many of these decisions.
7. Conducting the City's Intergovernmental Affairs.  The Council may make agreements for the joint exercise of powers through agreements with other units of government, appoint people to serve on intergovernmental bodies, conduct City business with state and federal agencies, and participate in intergovernmental programs and the work of municipal associations.
8. Protecting the Welfare of the City and Its Inhabitants.  Elected officials must formulate policies that will help the City solve future problems and adjust to social and economic trends.  This requires long-range planning regarding City facilities and needs.
9. Providing Community Leadership.  In addition to participating in civic events, City officials must provide leadership by promoting new ideas and suggesting new programs to improve the community and its surrounding areas.

Council Salaries
Effective January 1, 2016, the annual salary for the Mayor shall be $11,846 and the annual salary for Council Members shall be $9,070.
On July 25, 2016, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2016-08 setting salaries for 2017-2018.
Effective January 1, 2017, the annual salary for the Mayor shall be $12,083 and the annual salary for Council Members shall be $9,251.
Effective January 1, 2018, the annual salary for the Mayor shall be $12,325 and the annual salary for Council Members shall be $9,436.
Effective January 1, 2019, the annual salary for the Mayor shall be $12,572 and the annual salary for Council Members shall be $9,625.