The governing body of the City of Hillsboro is charged with the responsibility of establishing municipal policies to guide the functions, operations and development of the city. Regulatory policies established by the council are usually adopted by ordinance and included in the code of city ordinances. However, other policies are also established, which by their nature, do not require adoption by ordinance. These policy statements need to be consolidated and organized in a reference document for easy access.
It is the purpose of this policy to:
1) Clearly state and compile the municipal policies of the city not covered by ordinance, the operating budget, the capital improvement plan, and the comprehensive plan of the city;
2) Provide for the distribution of these policies to all concerned; and
3) Establish procedures for the preparation, distribution and maintenance of public policies and the “Municipal Policy Code”.
1) There is hereby established a “Municipal Policy Code” which shall contain all city policy statements adopted by the governing body.
2) Generally, policy statements in this “Municipal Policy Code” will include only such municipal matters for which the responsibility of decision is placed in the governing body by virtue of the home rule constitutional amendment, state law, the code of city ordinances, or specific ordinances and resolutions.
3) All policy statements of the governing body shall be prepared in writing. Once approved, statements of policy will be reproduced, distributed and included in the “Municipal Policy Code.”
4) Whenever feasible, each policy statement shall include: (a) a brief background description of the problem; (b) the purpose of the policy; (c) the policy statement; (d) such other criteria or procedural sections as may be required.
5) The city clerk shall be responsible for the preparation, continued maintenance, and distribution of the “Municipal Policy Code” and additions or deletions thereto.
6) Copies of the “Municipal Policy Code” shall be distributed to the governing body, city department heads, city administrator and other officers of the city.
7) Copies of the “Municipal Policy Code” shall be available to the general public at a cost established by the city administrator.
1) The governing body or any standing committee or member thereof, the city administrator, and city boards & commissions may draft policy proposals for formal consideration by the governing body.
2) The city administrator shall be responsible for the assignment of tentative and final policy numbers and titles to a proposed policy draft.
3) All proposed policies not prepared by members of the governing body shall be routed through the city administrator.
4) Drafts or proposed policies and amendments to existing policies shall be processed in accordance with the rules of the governing body. Such drafts may be deferred for discussion or analysis. The draft policy shall be delivered to the city attorney for review.
5) After official adoption by the governing body, the city administrator shall be responsible for duplicating and distributing the statement of policy.
6) As required, the city administrator shall update the table of contents and cross reference sections of the “Municipal Policy Code”.