The commission form of government is a rare form of municipal government that originated in Galveston, Texas in 1901. In a commission form of government, voters elect a small commission, typically five members on an at-large basis, to serve on the governing board. One commissioner is elected to function as mayor. As the governing body, the commissioners are responsible for the legislative and executive functions of the municipal government. Legislative responsibilities include taxation, appropriations, ordinances (policy), and other general functions. Each commissioner is also administratively responsible for each of the municipal departments, such as public affairs, finance, public health and safety, public property, and streets and public improvements. The commission typically hires a professional manager to carry out the administrative tasks. The commission supervises the manger’s performance. Today, less than three percent of cities nationwide use this form of government. 

Those who favor the commission form of government contend that because such a small group of individuals is responsible for the legislative and executive functions of the government, decisions can be made quicker without all the red tape. Those who favor the other forms of government contend that the commission form of government encourages elected officials and department heads to act in the interest of their own department rather than the best interest of the municipal government as a whole. The commission form of government does have its limitations. With effective leadership, the benefits of the commission form of government far outweigh the limitations.

The City of East Peoria adopted the commission form of government in April of 1919. The East Peoria City Council consists of the mayor and four commissioners. All five members are elected on an at-large, non-partisan basis to serve during the same four year term. The city government is divided into five departments and each commissioner shall be a commissioner over a department. The mayor shall be commissioner over the department of public affairs. The other commissioners shall be allotted to the four other departments by the council by majority vote at the first regular meeting after an election of a member as provided by statute. The council by ordinance determines the powers and duties of and to be to be performed by each department. The City of East Peoria is unique in that it provides all essential services to its residents, to include but not limited to police and fire/EMS protection, water and wastewater services, garbage and recycling services, street maintenance, and code enforcement. The city also owns EastPort Marina and owns and operates EastSide Centre. Each service and facility falls under the purview of one of the five departments.

The current members of the council are serving in their second term together. As long as they continue to work together with staff to best serve the needs of the entire community, the commission form of government will continue to serve the East Peoria community well. 

Always grateful,
John