The Town Commission takes legislative action using one of the following three methods:

Ordinance

An ordinance is the most formal and binding type of Commission legislation. Every act making an appropriation, creating an indebtedness, authorizing borrowing of money, levying a tax, establishing any rule or regulation for the violation of which a penalty is imposed, or placing any burden upon or limiting the use of private property, shall be by ordinance. Every ordinance must first be read by title only at a regular or special Commission meeting. If passed, the title of the ordinance is published and the date of a public hearing is provided to give citizens an opportunity to be heard on each piece of legislation. At the time of the public hearing, each interested person is given the opportunity to state his/her views on the ordinance. After the Mayor closes the public hearing, Commission members have the opportunity to discuss the issues raised by the public hearing or concerns they may have. After discussion the Commission then votes on whether to table the ordinance for further discussion, adopt, or reject the ordinance.

Resolution

A resolution is a written legal act passed by the Commission by majority vote. It is less formal than an ordinance since it is passed at the meeting at which it is introduced without a public hearing (with the exception of budget procedures and quasi-judicial matters).

Motion

A motion is an informal resolution that is made and passed by a majority vote of the Town Commission.