Beloit has a Mayor/City Council form of government. Voters elect eight city council members, two from each of the City's four wards, to four-year terms. The voters also directly elect a Mayor. The Mayor and the 8 City Councilors form the City of Beloit Governing Body.
The Council sets policies, adopts ordinances and the annual budget, approves contracts, appoints individuals to boards and commissions, and hires the city administrator to manage the day-to-day operations of the City.
Beloit citizens are encouraged to participate in Beloit's governmental process. Residents may seek a council seat, apply for appointment to any of the city's boards and commissions, and attend meetings of the Governing Body and its boards and commissions.
The Beloit Governing Body meets in business session at 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Meetings take place in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, 119 N. Hersey. The meetings include a formal agenda and a work session. The Council usually conducts a work session on items that are in the discussion phase and need more research from staff. This allows the members to understand and ask questions about an issue without having a formal vote on the item.
Agendas and packets of information about agenda items are available at the city clerk's office in city hall. Official City Council meeting minutes are available on the website or by request. Cable channel 12 televises regular meetings.
Citizens may communicate with city council members through phone calls, letters or email via the city's web site. People may formally address the council during public hearings or public comment at council meetings. The city administrator's office can provide details about public participation at council meetings.
Seated left to right: James Crowley, 4th Ward; Mayor Rebecca Koster; Rick Brown, 1st Ward.
Standing left to right: Bill Foreman, 3rd Ward; Craig Cousland, 4th Ward, Tom Naasz, 3rd Ward; Tom Maxwell, 1st Ward; Patricia Struble, 2nd Ward; Denis Shumate, 2nd Ward.
