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Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS)

Sample Ordinance - City Judge

Reference Number: MTAS-1483
Reviewed Date: 09/27/2023

SAMPLE ORDINANCE FOR CITY JUDGE
(For cities with current Mayor or Recorder Court)

ORDINANCE NO.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF __________________________, TENNESSEE, THAT:

Section 1. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 16-18-101, et seq.

(a) The city judge for the City of __________________ shall be___________ (_______) years of age, licensed in the state of Tennessee to practice law, and shall be a resident of __________________ (city/county). In the event he or she removes his residency from __________________ (city/county) he or she shall automatically vacate his or her office.
(Note: Text in italics is optional.)

(b) The city judge shall be appointed by, and serve at the will and pleasure of, the governing body.

(c) Vacancies in the office of city judge shall be filled by the governing body.

(d) The compensation of the city judge shall be per month.

(e) During the absence or disability of the city judge, the governing body may appoint a city judge pro tem to serve until the city judge returns to his duties. The judge pro tem shall have all the qualifications required of the city judge under this ordinance, and shall have all the authorities and powers of the city judge.

Section 2. Consistent with Town of South Carthage v. Barrett, 840 S.W.2d 895 (Tenn. 1992), the city judge is an appointed judge and shall have jurisdiction only over violations of municipal ordinances.

Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its passage upon final reading by the governing body, the public welfare requiring.

Passed first reading: _________________________________

Passed second reading: _________________________________

Passed third reading: _________________________________

Signed: _________________________________
 

Attest: _________________________________
 

Approved as to form: __________________________________

                                            City Attorney