Handbook Contents

CHAPTER 1  "YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY ..." 

• Home Rule Charters 2-1
• Legislative or Special Charters 2-2
• The Lawrason Act 2-2

CHAPTER 3  THE LAWRASON ACT

• A Brief History of the Lawrason Act 3-1
• Text of the Lawrason Act (Through 2007 Leg. Session) 3-2

CHAPTER 4  ELECTIONS

• Types of Elections 4-1
• Qualifications of the Lawrason Act
• Mayor and Board of Aldermen 4-3

CHAPTER 5   OPEN MEETINGS AND PUBLIC RECORDS

• Open Meetings 5-1
• Public Records 5-3

CHAPTER 6  REVENUE SOURCES AND INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS

• Revenue Sources 6-1
• Investment of Public Funds 6-8

CHAPTER 7  MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT BUDGETING, INDEBTEDNESS, AUDIT REQUIREMENTS, AND FISCAL AGENTS

• Municipal Government Budgeting 7-1
• Incurring of Indebtedness 7-3
• Audit Requirements 7-9
• Selection of the Fiscal Agent 7-11

CHAPTER 8  LAGNIAPPE -- PUBLIC UTILITIES, PERSONNEL MATTERS, ETHICS, AND RETIREMENT

• Public Utilities 8-1
• Personnel Matters 8-2
• Retirement 8-3

CHAPTER 9  MUNICIPAL COURTS

• Mayor's Courts 9-1
• City Courts 9-4

CHAPTER 10  MUNICIPAL TORT LIABILITY AND INSURANCE 

CHAPTER 11  MUNICIPAL ANNEXATION

• Annexation by Petition and Election 11-1
• Annexation by Petition and Ordinance 11-2
• Annexation of Vacant Land 11-3
• Annexation of Property by a Public Body 11-3
• Annexation of Noncontiguous Property 11-3

CHAPTER 12  THE PUBLIC BID LAW

CHAPTER 14  EFFECTIVE MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS  14-1

• Guidelines for Better Press Relations 14-3

CHAPTER 15  PERSONNEL POLICY AND ORDINANCES 

CHAPTER 16  EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS IN FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS

• The Lawrason Act 16-1
• Other Federal and State Laws 16-2

CHAPTER 17   THE MUNICIPAL CLERK’S OFFICE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Office of the Municipal Clerk 17-1
• Council Meetings 17-4
• Duties During Council Meetings 17-8
• After the Council Meeting 17-13

CHAPTER 18   MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTING

• Financial Accounting and Reporting 18-1

Chapter Checklist of Best Practices in Government

CHAPTER 19  PLANNING AND ZONING