Marion operates under the Mayor-Council Planof city government. The Mayor is elected to a four-year term and all executive authority is vested in that office. Six City Council Members are elected every two years and manage the City’s legislative affairs. The hallmark of the Mayor-Council Plan is this separation of legislative and executive powers.

The Mayor’s executive and administrative powers, duties, and responsibilities are routinely handled by a non-elected city officer, the City Administrator. However, the Mayor presides over meetings of the Council, approves or vetoes ordinances, and regularly reports to the Council and the general public on the condition and needs of the City. The City Council in turn enacts ordinances, levies taxes and fees for city services, and adopts annual operating budgets for the city government and its enterprises.

Michael D. “Mickey” Alexander is the Mayor of Marion, a position he’s held since 1988. Alexander was a member of the City Council for several years prior to becoming Mayor. An investment advisor with a local financial services firm, Mayor Alexander represents the City on several boards and committees, including the Revolving Loan Fund Board and the Industrial Development Authority. He and his wife, Susan, both life-long residents of Crittenden County, are involved in a number of civic and social activities in Marion.

The Marion City Council is madeup of Donald Arflack, James Brown, Mike Byford, Janet Pierce, Dwight Sherer, and Darrin Tabor. The Council has adopted three consecutive budgets that required no increase in property taxes, and, in fact, lowered the tax rate on real property by 10% for fiscal year 2008-09.

Correspondence to Mayor Alexander and members of the City Council should be addressed to: Marion City Hall, 217 South Main Street, Marion KY 42064. Phone messages for the Mayor and Council may be left with City staff by phoning 270-965-2266, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.