The municipal government of the City of Copperas Cove is the type of government known as a council-manager government. The municipal government consists of a mayor and council members, elected by the people and responsible to the people, and a city manager, appointed by and responsible to the council for proper administration of the affairs of the City.
CITY COUNCIL
The council is composed of a mayor and seven (7) other council members. The mayor and all other council members are elected from the city at large.
A council member, can serve for a term of three (3) years, and can serve not more than two (2) terms in succession in the office to which they are elected.
The mayor, can also serve for a term of three (3) years, and can serve not more than two (2) terms in succession in the office to which they are elected.
The council elects one of its members as mayor pro tem, for a period of one (1) year. The mayor pro tem acts as mayor during the absence or disability of the mayor and, when so acting, shall have the same powers, duties, and restrictions as set forth for the office of mayor.
The Council holds two (2) meetings each month, meeting on the first and third Tuesday of the month.
CITY MANAGER
The Council appoints a City Manager, who is the chief administrative and executive officer of the city. The City Manager is responsible to the Council for the administration of all the affairs of the City. Functional Areas that report directly to the City Manager are:
Budget
City Secretary
Development Services
Financial Services
Fire/EMS
Human Resources
Information Technology
Parks and Recreation
Police Department
Public Relations
Public Works
CITY SECRETARY
The City Manager appoints the City Secretary who oversees the records management program for the City, serves as election official and oversees the maintenance and modification of all city ordinances.
Boards, Commissions, Committees
ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Five members, two year terms, meets a minimum of three times per year. The Animal Shelter Advisory Committee evaluates the animal shelter located within the City limits for compliance with State statutes.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Five members and two alternate members, two year terms, meets monthly on the second Thursday. The Board of Adjustment is a Quasi-judicial board which serves as an appeal body for individuals
seeking variances to the Zoning Ordinance or to a decision made by an administrative official enforcing the ordinance.
CEMETERY ADVISORY BOARD
Five members, two year terms, meets every two months as scheduled. The Cemetery Advisory Board determines citizen expectations and give recommendations to the City council on matters concerning the Municipal cemetery. They also plan special projects at the cemetery, such as historical or genealogy searches, and cooperate with other public and private organizations in advancing the interests of the cemetery.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD
Five members, three year terms, meets monthly on the fourth Thursday. The Economic Development Corporation Board directs and coordinates the broad-based expansion of the City’s business tax base and promotes sustainable job growth, thereby continuously enhancing the quality of life for Copperas Cove residents.
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD
Five members, two year terms, meets monthly on the last Wednesday. The Housing Authority ensures proper management of federal funds, approves and adopts all policies and legal documents of the Housing Authority.
KEEP COPPERAS COVE BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION
Fifteen members, two year terms, meets monthly on the first Monday. The Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful Commission develops and recommends policies related to litter prevention, beautification, and community improvement.
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
Nine Members, three year terms, meets monthly on the second Monday. The Library Advisory Board encourages the development of public libraries, makes policy and program recommendations to the City Council, reviews the annual library budget, and cooperates with other public and private organizations in advancing the interests of the public library.
QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY BOARD
Seven members and two alternate members, two year terms, meets as necessary. The Parks and Recreation Committee makes recommendations to the City Council concerning recommendations on policies, rules, and regulations relating to the administration of public park and recreation facilities.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet once per month on the fourth (4th) Monday of each month, expect if a meeting were to fall on a Holiday. Annual calendar dates are generally posted in November. The Planning and Zoning Commission has seven members with three year terms. The Commission reviews and considers submitted site plans and plats, as well as makes recommendations to the City Council on Zoning Ordinance amendments, Comprehensive Plan amendments, Specific Use Permits and rezoning requests.
YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD
Twenty members, two year terms, meets monthly on the first Monday. The Youth Advisory Council defines specific ways to address youth community issues and the development of activities and programs designed and promoted through the City and the Copperas Cove Independent School District. The council also encourages and promotes the education of youth regarding City government and importance of youth input, participation, and responsibility.
