Alternative Forms of Government

Wyo. Stat. Ann. tit. 15, ch. 4
in effect

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-101 Governing body; composition; powers; manner of adopting motions; president; vice-president; duties.

(a) The governing body of each city and town operating under the commission form of government consists of the mayor and two (2) commissioners, each of whom has the right to vote on all questions coming before the governing body. Two (2) members of the council constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of two (2) members is necessary to adopt any motion, resolution or ordinance, or pass any measure, unless a greater number is otherwise provided. Upon every vote the yeas and nays shall be called and recorded, and every motion, resolution or ordinance shall be reduced to writing and read before the vote is taken thereon. (b) The mayor has no power to veto any measure, but every resolution or ordinance passed by the council, before it is in force, must be signed by the mayor, or by two (2) commissioners and be recorded. (c) The mayor is president of the governing body. The commissioner of finances and public property is vice-president of the governing body and shall perform the duties of the mayor in his absence.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-102 Departments; powers; administrators.

(a) The executive and administrative powers, authority and duties in cities and towns adopting this form of government shall be distributed among three (3) departments, as follows: (i) Department of public affairs and safety, to be administered by the mayor; (ii) Department of accounts, finance, parks and public property, to be administered by the commissioner of finances and public property; (iii) Department of streets and public improvements, to be administered by the commissioner of streets and public improvements.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-104 Officers and assistants; election and removal; vote required; duties.

(a) The governing body, at its first meeting, or as soon as practicable thereafter, shall elect by majority vote the following officers or as many thereof as may be necessary: (i) City clerk; (ii) Attorney; (iii) Treasurer; (iv) Civil engineer; (v) Health officer; (vi) Chief of police; (vii) Chief of fire department; and (viii) Any other officers and assistants as are provided for by ordinance and necessary to the proper and efficient conduct of the city's affairs. (b) Any officer or assistant elected or appointed may be removed from office at any time by a majority vote of the council, and their duties shall be fixed by ordinance.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-105 Officers and employees; offices; office hours; salaries.

(a) The mayor, commissioners and other officers as provided by ordinance shall have offices in the city hall and shall maintain regular office hours to be fixed by ordinance. The compensation of the city officers shall be paid in monthly installments not to exceed the following maximum amounts per year: (i) Mayor, seventy-two thousand dollars ($72,000.00); (ii) Commissioner, twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00); (iii) City clerk, nineteen thousand dollars ($19,000.00); (iv) City attorney, nineteen thousand two hundred dollars ($19,200.00); (v) City engineer, twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00); (vi) Police judge, six thousand dollars ($6,000.00). (b) The annual salaries specified in subsection (a) of this section may be fixed by ordinance at any amount less than the maximum amount specified. No salary of any elective officer may be changed during his term of office. The salary or compensation of other officers and employees, except as otherwise provided by law, shall be fixed by ordinance and payable in equal monthly installments or more often. (c) In cities and towns having an assessed valuation of fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000.00) or less, the annual salaries shall not exceed the following: (i) Mayor, fifteen thousand three hundred dollars ($15,300.00); (ii) Commissioner, four thousand six hundred twenty dollars ($4,620.00); (iii) City clerk, four thousand three hundred dollars ($4,300.00); (iv) City attorney, three thousand six hundred dollars ($3,600.00); (v) City engineer, four thousand three hundred dollars ($4,300.00); and (vi) Police judge, one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00).

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-106 Officers and employees; salaries; verified payroll.

In cities operating under a commission government, payment of wages and salary of city officers, laborers, firemen, police officers and other employees or officers of any city department may be made upon approval by the governing body of a payroll verified by the oath of the city clerk as to city officers, and the oaths of the mayor and city commissioners as to officers and employees of the departments of city government which they head. Presentation and allowance of claims as provided by law for claims of other character is not required for payment of salaries and wages embraced in a verified payroll.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-109 Finances; first commission's appropriative powers.

The first commission elected in a city under the provisions of this article has the power, by ordinance, to revise, repeal or change any appropriations made for the current fiscal year prior to the beginning of their term of office and to make additional appropriations.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-110 Recall of officers.

(a) Any elected officer may be removed at any time by the qualified electors in the following manner: a petition signed by at least twenty-five percent (25%) of all the registered electors and demanding an election of a successor of the person sought to be removed shall be filed with the city clerk. The petition shall contain a general statement of the grounds for removal. The signatures to the petition need not all be appended to one (1) paper, but each signer shall add to his signature his place of residence, giving the street and number. One (1) of the signers of each paper shall make oath before a competent officer that the statements therein made are true as he believes, and that each signature is the genuine signature of the person whose name it purports to be. Within ten (10) days from the date of filing the petition the clerk shall determine whether or not the petition is signed by the requisite number of qualified electors. If necessary, the commission shall allow him extra help for that purpose. The clerk shall attach to the petition his certificate, showing the result of his examination. If the petition is insufficient, it shall be returned to the person who filed it, without prejudice to the filing of a new petition to the same effect. If the petition is sufficient, the clerk shall submit it to the governing body without delay. The governing body shall then fix a date for holding the election, not less than thirty (30) days nor more than forty (40) days from the date of the clerk's certificate of sufficiency. The commission shall publish notice and arrange for holding the election, which shall be conducted in the same manner as other city elections. (b) Any person sought to be removed may be a candidate to succeed himself, and unless he requests otherwise in writing at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the special primary election, the clerk shall place his name on the official ballot without nomination. On the second Tuesday preceding the date fixed for the special election, a special primary election for the selection of candidates shall be held. The special primary election and nomination are governed by the provisions of this article. If the person sought to be removed is a candidate, one (1) opposing candidate shall be selected at the special primary election. The special primary election shall be held if there are more than two (2) nominees, one (1) of whom may be incumbent. If there are no candidates nominated against the officer sought to be removed, no special election will be held and the incumbent shall continue in office. (c) In any removal election the candidate receiving the highest number of votes is elected. The incumbent shall be removed from office upon the qualification of his successor, who shall hold office during the unexpired portion of the term for which his predecessor was elected. If the person who receives the highest number of votes fails to qualify within ten (10) days after receiving notification of election the office is vacant. This method of removal is in addition to any other methods provided by law.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-201 Council officers; election; duties; compensation.

(a) The council, at the first meeting after the first election under this article and at the first meeting after each regular election thereafter, shall elect from their number a president of the council to be the mayor and a vice president of the council. During the absence or disability of the mayor, the vice president shall perform the duties of the mayor. In the absence or disability of both, the council shall choose from their number a president pro tem to perform the duties of the mayor. (b) The salary for each councilman, other than the mayor, shall be not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00), as the council establishes by ordinance, for actual attendance at each regular or special meeting. The salary for the mayor shall not be more than twice the salary of the other council members.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-202 Employees; manager; employment, salary, vacancy; attorney; other positions; salaries, duties; municipal judges; experts; exception.

(a) The governing body, as soon as possible after the first election, shall employ a city manager and a city attorney and fix their salaries. The city manager shall receive no other or additional salary for the performance of any of the duties required of him as city manager. The city manager is an employee and serves at the pleasure of the governing body. His salary may be changed from year to year, and his employment may be terminated at any time by a majority vote of the governing body. (b) The manager shall give thirty (30) days notice in writing to the governing body before resigning from his position. If the position is vacant for any reason, the governing body shall immediately proceed to employ another person. If there is a delay in securing a new manager, the governing body shall immediately appoint an acting manager to fill the vacancy on an interim basis. He shall qualify the same as the manager and shall be vested with authority and charged with the duties and responsibilities of the manager until a manager is employed and qualified. (c) The governing body may fix the salaries for the various offices in the city to be paid in twelve (12) or more installments per year. (i) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 8, § 2. (ii) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 8, § 2. (iii) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 8, § 2. (iv) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 8, § 2. (v) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 8, § 2. (vi) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 8, § 2. (vii) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 8, § 2. (viii) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 8, § 2. (ix) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 8, § 2. (x) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 8, § 2. (xi) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 8, § 2. (d) The governing body shall appoint one (1) or more municipal judges with jurisdiction to hear and determine all cases arising under the ordinances of the city or town. The rules of practice before the municipal judges shall conform as nearly as possible to the provisions of the justice code concerning complaints, continuances and trial, but no change of venue may be granted in any case. (e) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the manager may require any appointive officers and any employees to perform duties and services in one (1) or more departments of the city or town. No person shall receive compensation in addition to the salary of his position for the performance of any required duties. The city attorney is not required to perform any service other than legal service. In cities and towns having a population of more than ten thousand (10,000), policemen and firemen are not required to perform any service other than that normally considered to be within their departments. Salaries of the members of the police and fire departments shall be established in conformity with the civil service laws of the state and ordinances of the city applicable to those departments. (f) The governing body may employ experts to perform unusual or special service upon the recommendation of the manager or otherwise. Subject to equal qualifications, preference shall be given to bona fide residents of the city or town in employing applicants for positions. (g) Except for the city manager, attorney and municipal judges, all employees shall be employed by the city manager, be selected on merit and serve at his pleasure. He shall fix their salaries by and with the consent of the governing body. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting or superseding the provisions of chapter 5 of this title.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-203 Manager; duties; generally.

(a) In addition to his specific duties, the manager shall: (i) See that all laws and ordinances are observed and enforced; (ii) Attend all meetings of the governing body and may recommend necessary and expedient measures; (iii) Prepare and submit to the governing body reports required by it, or that he considers advisable; (iv) Keep the governing body fully advised of the city's financial condition and its future needs; (v) Serve as the city's purchasing agent; (vi) Perform all duties imposed upon him; and (vii) Recommend rules and regulations necessary for the efficient and economical conduct of the business of the city or town subject to the provisions of this article.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-204 Manager; duties; public health; garbage.

The manager shall enforce all statutes, ordinances and regulations relative to the public health, comfort and safety. If the owner or occupant of property deposits or allows the accumulation of garbage, offal, manure or rubbish of any kind upon it, or in the streets or alleys upon which it abuts, or permits weeds to grow and remain on the property, in violation of any statute or ordinance, the manager shall serve notice upon the occupant, or the owner or his agent, to remove the rubbish or weeds. If they are not removed within one (1) day after service of notice, the manager shall have them removed. The cost of removal shall be assessed against the property and constitutes a lien thereon. The owner shall be notified of the amount assessed, and if it is not paid, it shall be collected in the same manner as other special assessments.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-205 Management and control of municipal public utility.

Unless a board of public utilities has been established as provided in chapter 7, article 4, the manager shall control and manage any public utility owned and operated by the city or town. Subject to the laws relating to public utilities, he shall implement all rates and compensation as the governing body establishes to be paid by consumers of water, gas, electric current or any service furnished by any other public utility, owned or operated by the city or town, provided they are equal and uniform to all persons within the class served. He shall make and enforce all necessary rules, regulations and penalties to enforce their collection, or for the protection of the property and rights pertaining to public utilities. At the end of each month, or within three (3) days thereafter, he shall file with the clerk a report showing the receipts and disbursements in the management of all public utilities during the month.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-206 Management and control of municipal public utility; powers and duties as to employees; exception.

(a) The manager shall control and manage the fire department and the police department and may appoint a chief of the fire department, a chief of the police department and any other employees necessary in those departments. (b) The manager shall appoint a city clerk. He may also appoint a city engineer and a city treasurer. The city clerk may be appointed to act as treasurer, but he shall not receive more than the salary of one (1) position. The manager may appoint and remove any other necessary employees and fix their compensation within the limits specified by the governing body and the law. Except as otherwise provided by law, he shall prescribe the powers and duties of all employees and may require any employee to perform duties in two (2) or more departments. He shall file with the clerk a list of the names of all employees together with a statement of the salary or compensation each is to receive.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-301 Officers and employees; public property; delivery to successor; penalty; enforcement.

Every person, upon the expiration of his term of office or employment, shall deliver to his successor in office all property in his possession belonging to the city or town, or pertaining to the office held. Any person failing to do so within five (5) days after being notified and requested by the manager or president of the governing body, shall forfeit and pay for the use of the city five hundred dollars ($500.00) and all damages caused by his neglect or refusal to deliver. The amount may be recovered in an action brought for that purpose, and the city may by action in the nature of replevin, or mandamus proceedings, enforce the delivery of such property.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-302 Finances; warrants; use for disbursements; exception; limitations; contents; procedure.

(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, all disbursements shall be made by check or warrant signed by the manager and countersigned by the mayor or by using an electronic payment method or fund transfer system. No check or warrant may be drawn in payment of a claim, and no electronic payment or fund transfer may be made, of more than fifty dollars ($50.00) until the claim is certified by the manager and allowed by resolution of the governing body. Each electronic payment or fund transfer, check or warrant shall specify its purpose and shall be made payable to the order of the person in whose favor it is drawn. (b) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 152, § 4.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-303 Finances; issuance and sale of bonds generally; purposes; amounts; limitations; exception.

(a) The city or town may by ordinance issue and sell bonds or certificates of indebtedness as follows: (i) To pay, fund or refund any of its debts; (ii) To purchase, construct, extend, improve and maintain public utility plants named in the ordinance authorizing the issue of the bonds or certificates of indebtedness; (iii) Not to exceed a total outstanding issue of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00) for the benefit of the permanent improvement revolving fund; (iv) For defraying the cost of making local improvements: (A) In intersections of streets and alleys; and (B) In front of property exempt by law from special assessments, and property owned by the city or town. (v) For defraying the cost of establishing and maintaining a general system of sewers and of maintaining, altering, relaying and extending existing systems of sewers; (vi) For the purchase, erection and improvement of necessary public buildings; (vii) For establishing garbage crematories or other means of garbage disposal, hospitals, schools, libraries, museums and art galleries; (viii) For changing, controlling or bridging streams or ravines and constructing and repairing bridges within the corporate limits; (ix) Not to exceed forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00), to run not longer than ten (10) years, for the benefit of the general fund in case of a failure of the anticipated revenue from sources other than taxation; (x) To purchase real property for future public use, if the acquisition of the land in the opinion of the governing body is necessary to conform to a master plan adopted and certified for the physical development of the municipality under W.S. 15-1-501 through 15-1-512. (b) No bonds except those specified in paragraph (a)(i) of this section may be issued or sold unless the governing body is first authorized to do so by a majority of the electors of the city or town voting thereon at an election called, conducted, canvassed and returned in the manner provided for bond elections by the Political Subdivision Bond Election Law, W.S. 22-21-101 through 22-21-112. (c) Bonds issued and sold under this section shall not be sold for less than par value and shall bear interest at a rate established by ordinance. (d) The funded indebtedness other than that provided in subsection (a)(v) of this section shall not exceed four percent (4%) of the assessed value of the taxable property of the city. When determining indebtedness for the purpose of fixing that limit, bonds issued for the purpose of supplying water shall not be counted. Bonds issued under subsection (a)(v) of this section shall not exceed four percent (4%) of the assessed value of the taxable property of the city or town. (e) The limitations expressed in this section have no application to refunding public securities issued pursuant to the General Obligation Public Securities Refunding Law except as otherwise provided in that act.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-304 Claims; appeals; exception; definition.

Except as provided by the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act, if any claim against the city is disallowed in whole or in part, the claimant may appeal from the decision of the governing body to the district court of the district in which the city or town is situated pursuant to Rule 12 of the Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure. "Claim" as used in this section means claims as are presented for audit and not claims for salaries of officers and employees or other fixed charges against the city or town, nor claims covered by the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-305 Streets; vacation; petition required; consideration.

The governing body has the exclusive power and, by ordinance, may vacate any highway, street, lane or alley, or portion thereof. No vacation may be ordered except upon petition of a majority of the owners owning a majority of the property abutting on the portion proposed to be vacated and extending three hundred (300) feet in either direction from the portion proposed to be vacated. The city or town may demand and receive the value of the land vacated as consideration for the vacation.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-306 Construction or reconstruction of sidewalks and curbs; landowner's duties; notice; assessment; establishing grade and parking width.

(a) All owners of land adjoining any street, lane or alley shall construct or reconstruct a sidewalk and curb along the street, lane or alley next to the land when ordered to do so by the manager. All sidewalks and curbs shall be constructed as designated by the manager. However, the manager shall not require any person to construct a walk or curb in a different manner, or of a different material, than is required of other persons in the same block fronting the street. It is the duty of landowners to keep any sidewalk or curb now constructed, or which may hereafter be constructed in front of the land, in good repair and in safe condition. (b) If the manager considers it necessary that a sidewalk or curb be constructed, reconstructed or repaired, notice shall be served upon the owner of the land along which it is to be constructed or repaired specifying the manner in which it is to be constructed or repaired and the estimated cost which may be assessed if the city or town does the work. The notice shall be served personally upon the owner, or if he is not to be found within the city or town, it shall be sent to him by registered or certified mail, requesting a return receipt, if his address is known. Otherwise it shall be published once in the official newspaper of the city or town. Unless the owner within two (2) weeks after service, mailing or publication of the notice, begins the construction or repair and completes it without delay, the manager shall have the work done at the expense of the permanent improvement revolving fund. Upon completion of the work, the manager shall certify the cost thereof to the clerk of the city or town. The governing body shall then fix a date for hearing upon the costs. The procedure for notice and hearing shall be as set forth in W.S. 15-6-405. Upon confirmation of the assessment by the governing body, the charge levied is a lien upon the property as set forth in W.S. 15-6-406. The governing body may levy and collect the assessment and provide for the manner of sale, redemption and conveyance of lands sold for nonpayment of the assessment in the manner provided in W.S. 15-6-401 through 15-6-448. When collected the assessment shall be paid into the revolving fund. The manager, upon proper showing made to him, may extend the time within which the construction or repair shall begin or be completed. (c) Before ordering the construction of any new sidewalk or curb, the manager shall establish its grade and the width of the parking.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-307 Construction or reconstruction of sidewalks and curbs; conditions causing injury; liability and proceedings generally.

Any person who renders a street insufficient or unsafe for travel by any excavations or obstructions not authorized by law or ordinance, or is negligent in the management of any authorized excavation or obstruction, or fails to maintain proper guards or lights is liable for all damages recovered by any person injured as a result of the obstruction or negligence. No action may be maintained against the city or town for damages unless the person or persons creating the condition are joined as parties defendant. In case of judgment against the defendants, execution shall at first issue only against the defendant causing the insufficiency or danger, and the city or town is not required to pay the judgment until that execution is returned unsatisfied. If the city or town pays the judgment, it is the owner thereof and may enforce its payment from the other defendants. The city or town is also entitled to execution against them and to take such other proceedings as judgment creditors are entitled to take.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-308 Conditions causing injury; defects.

No action may be maintained against the city or town on account of injuries received by means of any defect in the condition of any bridge, street, sidewalk or thoroughfare except as provided by the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-309 Conditions causing injury; obstructions by railways.

No railway company or street railway company, when cleaning their track, may pile up snow or other material and leave it piled upon any street in the city or town. Any such company is liable to any person injured as a result of the obstruction for all damages sustained. If damages are recovered against the city or town for injuries caused by the obstruction, the city may recover from the company responsible.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-310 Subdividing; survey and plat required; procedure; streets; layout and grading.

(a) If any person subdivides any parcel of ground within the city or town into building lots for the purpose of sale, he shall have it surveyed and platted in accordance with the general laws. When the survey and plats are completed and acknowledged, a copy shall be presented to the city engineer, who shall advise the manager whether it should be accepted or rejected, or a modification directed. The manager shall then present it to the governing body with the recommendation. (b) When any plat is accepted by the governing body, the clerk shall so certify upon the face of the plat, and it may then be recorded as provided by the general laws relating to the making and filing of plats. Except as otherwise provided by law, all provisions of the general laws relating to the making and filing of plats apply to the city. No person is entitled to damages for laying out or extension of any street or alley over any lot or parcel of land sold or offered for sale contrary to law. (c) The acceptance of the plat or addition of any ground, either within or outside the limits of the city or town, does not make it liable to grade the streets therein designated, or responsible for an insufficiency in a street, until the governing body directs they be graded and opened for travel.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-311 Removing snow; persons responsible; cost.

If the owners or occupants of property within the city fail to promptly remove accumulations of snow or other obstructions from the sidewalks, or streets or alleys on which their property abuts, when required to do so by ordinance, the manager may have it removed and the cost of removal assessed against the property. The cost of removal constitutes a lien against the property to be collected in the same manner as special assessments.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-312 Public utilities; installation.

The city or town may install, purchase, construct and operate any street railway and any gas, water, ice, heat, power, light or other plant for the furnishing of any commodity or service, or other public utility, and engage in the manufacture, production, purchase and sale of gas, water, ice, coal, heat, power, light or other commodities.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-313 Public utilities; manner of disposal.

No public utility owned by the city, whether acquired prior to the adoption of this article or thereafter, may be sold, leased or otherwise disposed of and no real property may be sold unless the full terms of the sale or other disposition, together with the price to be paid, is published in the official paper of the city or town once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks, before final action of the governing body. The proposition shall then be submitted to a vote of the people for ratification or rejection at the next general municipal election and ratified by at least two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of electors voting upon the question.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-4-314 Applicability of article.

The provisions of this article shall apply to any form of alternative city government authorized under this chapter.
Source: WY Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title15.pdfFetched: 10/4/2026