ABILENE CODE OF ORDINANCES

Goals and Services provided:
The office of the City Secretary maintains its responsibilities to the citizens of Abilene directly and indirectly through service to the Mayor and City Council.  In the area of Records Management, as outlined by State law and by City Charter, our primary duties are recording Council actions and preserving, maintaining, and providing access to public information. As we look to the future, the challenge of new technology will impact all areas of communication, requiring us to explore new methods and develop skills to effectively respond to the diversified needs.

Assist our "customers" (the citizens of Abilene, City Council, entities throughout the State, and coworkers) is the City Secretary Division's primary goal by:

• Providing information maintained in our office as authorized by the City Charter and

           State Law (Public Information Act),

• Assisting with meeting agenda notices in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, and
• Assuring proper filing of elected and appointed official Statements of Officer and Oaths as required by Secretary of State's Statutory Documents Section.

          With 37 Boards and Commissions, citizens have ample opportunity for public

service as a board member as appointed by the Mayor with Council approval after careful review of board information. Although a few boards have special requirements, the only prerequisites to serving on most boards are an adequate amount of time and a sincere desire to become involved in the Abilene community.

• Board membership rosters and composition pages
• Appointment Process /Board Application
• Citizens Serving Citizens brief description and board listing

Historically considered an Information source, The City Secretary's office strives to provide information requested, or refers the request to the appropriate source. The City Secretary's office maintains City Council Agendas, Minutes, Ordinances, Resolutions, Code, and Charter :

• Maintains over 2200 City files
• Administers the Records Management program
• Although the first point of contact for Licensing questions, the only permits and forms required, processed and/or available through our office are as follows:

• Solicitation Permits
• Advertising/Handbills
• City checklist and procedures for Alcoholic Beverage Permit Application
• Request to appear before the City Council

As a public service, it the privilege of our office to Educate our younger citizens (and potential Council members) by providing City Hall tours and briefings for various classes & organizations.  To request a tour please contact our office.  

The City Secretary's office knows the valuable resource found

 in linking  either directly or indirectly with other entities, Networking

   some of which are:

• Central Appraisal District; Abilene ISD; Wylie ISD; West Central Texas Municipal Water District; WTU; TXU; West Central Texas Council of Governments; Texas Municipal League; Secretary of State (Notary Public Section, Statutory Documents, Elections Division); News Media (KTXS, KTAB, KRBC, Abilene Reporter-News); Better Business Bureau; Chamber of Commerce; Convention & Visitors Bureau

           The City Secretary's office, as the City's designated Administrator of                    Elections,          coordinates as contracted with the Taylor County     Elections

Administrator for all City Elections.