Council’s Corner

Know The Code

The city council is the legislative body of the city. At the beginning of a council member’s term, the right arm is raised to the square and an oath is taken to “support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Utah” and to “support, obey and defend the laws and ordinances of Washington City.” Federal and state regulations affect each of our lives. These laws also give authority to and direct much of the way Washington City is required and allowed to operate. In certain areas authority is delegated from the state to municipalities to make decisions at the local level. In these cases the council creates, approves, and abides by laws commonly referred to as ordinances. Local laws that have been approved and enacted over the years are compiled into our city code, which can be found at WashingtonCity.org/government/records. The city council has the authority to modify the city code, but only by following the appropriate public process, which includes public notice, public hearings, and public discussion prior to voting. In June Ordinance 2021-24 was drafted and passed at the request of Washington County School District giving Washington City Police authority to enforce traffic laws on property owned by the district at public schools. In May Ordinance 2021-22 was passed after being initiated by the Washington County Youth Coalition to convert an existing resolution into an ordinance prohibiting tobacco and nicotine use in public parks, city-owned cemeteries, special events, and near mass gatherings. When lawmakers at the state legislature enact or modify a state statute it often becomes necessary for local councils to update city code to comply. Ultimately all powers of government at any and all levels are held by the people. Elected city council representatives hold a small portion of that power in trust and simply act as temporary bridges between the people and local government.

        –Kress Staheli, Washington City Council

                               WashingtonCity.org/council