Overview

Responsiveness to your needs is the top priority of the New Albany Council.  We urge you to share your ideas for making New Albany a better place to live and encourage you to get involved in your local government and community.

The Council is the legislative branch of government made up of seven members, one of whom is the Mayor.  Council is elected by residents to four-year terms.  Council and mayoral elections are held in November of odd-numbered years and are non-partisan.

Council has been granted certain powers by the Ohio Constitution, the laws of the State of Ohio and the New Albany Charter.  The Council exercises those powers through adopting ordinances and resolutions.  Among other things, the Charter gives Council the authority to create and abolish departments, commissions, boards and committees, to audit the accounts and records of the City, to conduct inquiries and investigations, to levy taxes, to enforce City laws and regulations, to adopt a budget and appropriate funds, to adopt building and zoning regulations and to hire a Manager. 

The Mayor, in addition to the powers, rights and duties of a Council Member, presides over council meetings, performs ceremonial duties, presides in Mayor’s Court, and acts as spokesperson for the City with other governments.  The Mayor has no veto powers.