“Statutory Town Board of Trustees”
There seems to be some confusion as to the type of government Jones City operates under. The many forms of municipal government in Oklahoma are: Statutory Town, Statutory Aldermanic, Statutory Council/Manager, Statutory Strong Mayor, and Home-Rule-Charter.
Jones is a Statutory Town with a Board of Trustees. It has been stated that as a Board of Trustees we don’t have a Mayor but a “Chairman” of the board. To clear this confusion up I have included the wording in both the Oklahoma statutes and Jones City Ordinances. Oklahoma Statute 11-12-101 “Statutory town board of trustees form of government” and 11-12-104 “Election of Mayor” and Jones City Ordinance Title 1, Chapter 6-4, “Mayor: Election and duties.”
So, as per the State Statutes, Jones City Ordinances, and history, we do have a Mayor! 5 Trustees are elected “at large” every odd year and then the Trustees elect a Mayor from the 5 elected Trustees in that same odd year.
Oklahoma Statute:
§11-12-101. Statutory town board of trustees form of government.
The form of government provided by Sections 12-101 through 12-114 of this title shall be known as the statutory town board of trustees form of government. Towns governed under the statutory town board of trustees form shall have all the powers, functions, rights, privileges, franchises and immunities granted, or which may be granted, to towns. Such powers shall be exercised as provided by law applicable to towns under the town board of trustees form, or if the manner is not thus prescribed, then in such manner as the board of trustees may prescribe.
Laws 1977, c. 256, § 12-101, eff. July 1, 1978.
§11-12-104. Election of mayor.
The board of trustees shall elect from among its members a mayor. The mayor shall be elected in each odd-numbered year at the first board of trustees meeting held after trustee terms begin, or as soon thereafter as practicable. The mayor shall serve until his successor has been elected and qualified. All references to the president of the town board of trustees in Oklahoma Statutes shall mean the town mayor.
Laws 1977, c. 256, § 12-104, eff. July 1, 1978.
Jones City Ordinance:
1-6-4: MAYOR; ELECTION AND DUTIES:
A. Election from Members: The board of trustees shall elect from among its members a mayor. The mayor shall be elected in each odd numbered year at the first board of trustees meeting held after trustee terms begin, or on the third Tuesday in May of each year, or as soon thereafter as practicable. The mayor shall serve until his successor has been elected and qualified. (1984 Code § 2-201; and. 2002 Code)