The Role of the City Council
The Mayor and City Council members act as the political head of the City. The Council adopts all ordinances and resolutions, approves contracts required by the City, analyzes proposals to meet community needs, initiates action for new programs and determines the ability of the City to provide financing for City operations. The Council also reviews, modifies, and approves the annual municipal budget presented by the City Manager.

Additionally, the City Council performs other miscellaneous duties, including appointments to various boards and commissions, liaison with other governmental bodies, and responds to community groups and individual constituents.

The City Manager is appointed by Council to carry out policy and ensure that the entire community is being served. The City Manager makes policy recommendations to the council, but the council may or may not adopt them and may modify the recommendations. The City Manager is bound by whatever action the Council takes.

For more information on the Mt. Vernon City Council, when meetings are held, how to contact a council member, council agenda information and council appointments - call the office of the Mayor and City Manager 618-242-6802.

The Mt. Vernon City Council meets regularly on the first and third Mondays each month.  Meetings are moved to the following Tuesday if the first or third Monday falls on a holiday.