Mankato City Charter

Mankato is a City Charter form government. A charter establishes the form of government for cities. Mankato is organized in the council-manager form. A charter is a city’s constitution and is approved by citizens. Through charters, citizens design their city’s form of government. The gauge of a good city charter is one that is easy to understand, is responsive to the organization and also helps the city operate efficiently. Mankato’s first city charter was established in 1868.

NAME, BOUNDARIES, POWERS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
- 1.01: Name and Boundary
- 1.02: Powers of the City
- 1.03: Charter a Public Act.
- 1.04: Wards.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT
- 2.01: Form of Government
- 2.02: Council
- 2.03: Transfer of Books
- 2.04: Compensation, Expenses.
- 2.05: General Powers and Duties.
- 2.06: Prohibitions
- 2.07: Vacancies, Forfeiture of Office, Filling of Vacancies.
- 2.08: Judge of Qualifications.
- 2.09: City Clerk.
- 2.10: Investigation of City Affairs.
- 2.11: Independent Audit.
- 2.12: Procedure.
- 2.13: Action Requiring an Ordinance.
- 2.14: Ordinances in General.
- 2.15: Emergency Ordinances.
- 2.16: Codes of Technical Regulations.
- 2.17: Authentication and Recording; Codification; Printing.
- 2.18: Ordinances Left in Force.
- 2.19: Official Bonds.
- 2.20: Personal Financial Interest
- 2.21: Ordinance To Make Charter Effective.
CITY MANAGER
- 3.001: Preamble.
- 3.01: Appointment; Qualifications; Compensation of City Manager.
- 3.02: Removal Without Cause
- 3.025: Removal for Cause.
- 3.03: Acting City Manager.
- 3.04: Powers and Duties of the City Manager.
ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS
- 4.01: Departments of Administration.
- 4.02: Subordinate Officers.
- 4.03: Restrictions.
- 4.04: Civil Service Commissions.
- 4.05: Boards and Commissions.
INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL
- 5.01: Recall; Method Prescribed.
- 5.02: Cause of Recall.
- 5.03: Recall Elections.
- 5.04: Recall; Time Limit.
- 5.05: Direct Legislation.
- 5.06: Referendum.
FINANCIAL PROCEDURES
- 6.01: Fiscal Year.
- 6.02: Submission of Budget and Budget Message.
- 6.03: Budget Message.
- 6.04: Budget.
- 6.05: Capital Program.
- 6.06: Council Action on Budget.
- 6.07: Council Action on Capital Program.
- 6.08: Public Records.
- 6.09: Amendments After Adoption.
- 6.10: Lapse of Appropriations.
- 6.11: Administration of Budget.
- 6.12: Contracts.
- 6.13: Collusion with Bidder.
- 6.14: Collusion by Bidder.
- 6.15: Power to Borrow Money or Incur Debt.
- 6.16: Levy and Collection of Taxes.
- 6.17: Accounts and Reports.
- 6.18: Debt not to be Increased or Credit Loaned.
- 6.19: Provisions to be Made to Pay Bonds.
- 6.20: Property Subject to Taxation.
- 6.21: Accounting Practices.
ELECTIONS
- 7.01: General Elections.
- 7.02: Special Elections.
- 7.03: Primary Election.
- 7.04: Vacancy in Nomination.
- 7.05: Candidates in General Election.
- 7.06: Write-in Candidates.
- 7.07: Canvass, General Election.
- 7.08: Tie Vote.
- 7.09: Elections Regulations.
ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
- 8.01: Assessment Authority.
- 8.02: Power to Purchase Property or Assignment of Liens.
PLANNING
- 9.01: City Planning Commission.
- 9.02: Comprehensive Plan.
- 9.03: Implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
- 10.01: Eminent Domain.
- 10.02: Franchises.
- 10.03: Municipal Utilities.
- 10.04: Vacation of Streets and Alleys.
- 10.05: City Attorney.
- 10.06: City Records.
- 10.07: Platted Property.
- 10.08: Sale or Lease of Real Property.
- 10.09: Saving Clause.
- 10.10: Oath of Office.
- 10.11: City Clerk to Administer Oaths.
- 10.12: Regular Paydays for City Employees.
- 10.13: Succession.