Some people feel the call to lead and guide those around them. From coaches to business owners, there are many career paths for those who want to make a difference in their town or the community. One career path that allows you to be a great leader is becoming mayor.
Getting a job in local government is a well-respected career. From city managers to mayors, the responsibilities, and duties can be challenging; however, the rewards are plenty. So, if you want to get into local government, that dream may be more plausible than you think. And if you live in a small town, you may know people in the local government who can guide you.
This article discusses the ins and outs of becoming a mayor in a small town, and after reading this, we hope you decide to give it a go.
Table of Contents
What is the Job of a Mayor in a Small Town?
In any township or city even, regardless of size — government infrastructure helps maintain order and make executive decisions about the municipality operations. Much like any other business, a small town has day-to-day operations that must run smoothly so that the it can thrive. While there are many roles involved in this process, the mayor is the executive leader of a small town and, as such, is responsible for ensuring this happens, the smooth running of operations that is. In addition to overseeing council meetings, the mayor is often accountable for the town’s fire, police, and other emergency services.
As the head of the council, the mayor must have their thumb on the pulse of what is happening throughout the town, present concerns to the council, and argue for the stakeholders (the citizens) to ensure business dealings align with their best interests. Some examples of this would be discussing plans for regenerating business in the town or addressing issues like garbage pickup and/or recycling.
Another part of being a civic leader is that the mayor facilitates appropriate collaborations between the town and government departments to fufill common goals.
What are the requirements to become mayor of a small town?
While each town will have specific small-town mayor requirements, general requirement categories include age, education, and residency specifications.
- Age: In most locations, the minimum age to become a mayor is 18; however, in some states, such as Tennessee and Alaska, the minimum age is 30.
- Education: The minimum educational requirement to be a mayor is a high school degree; however, some locations require a candidate to have a college degree. Some commonly recommended degree paths to get into a mayoral job are public policy or public administration.
- Residency: In most towns, the mayoral candidate must live in the town for one year before running for office and then live there once elected.
How much does it cost to run for mayor in a small town?
Each mayoral campaign is different. And the amount of money needed for each also differs depending on the approach, which makes it hard to narrow the costs down to any specific number.
However, running for mayor in a small town can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. It is not uncommon to run for mayor without a budget by being in the community, going door to door to obtain signatures for instance and, thus, not spending any money on advertisements, television ads and/or newspaper.
Much of the costs for running for mayor come from running a campaign, including printing and distributing pamphlets, signs, running commercials, and more. However, there are also costs involved in the candidate going out into the community to speak about their candidacy and election. And along with attending events during one’s campaign, a mayoral candidate must consider transportation costs to such events, lodging, and other incidentals.
Opting for a grassroots approach, which includes more door-to-door interactions and canvassing neighborhoods in the candidate’s jurisdiction, can help save money if the mayoral campaign budget is not huge.
What is the salary of a small town mayor?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average small-town mayor’s salary is $63,000; however, just as with the costs of running for mayor, the mayor’s pay in a small town will also depend on a few factors.
These factors include:
- Location
- Experience and Education
- Employment terms
Location can affect a mayor’s salary if the territory is immense and more populous. For example, town mayors in Tennessee make an average of $68,500, whereas a town mayor in Georgia makes an average of $45,200. And, of course- pay increases with larger territories, such as in bigger cities like San Francisco and New York City where it is not uncommon for mayors’ salaries to be in the six figures range.
Though minimal when compared to location, education may also impact salary. A candidate with only a high school diploma can expect to make less than one with a Bachelor’s degree as well as an enhanced education and political acumen, critical for success in office.
How to Become Mayor in a Small Town with No Experience?
Without political experience, knowing where to begin when running for office may be difficult.
One key takeaway is that the campaign is often the ultimate deciding factor in whether someone becomes mayor of a small town with no experience. Since the public elects mayors, a great deal of the mayor’s success rides on their ability to convince people to support them and eventually vote them into office.
For someone looking to become a mayor, it is essential to know the political landscape in your small town. To achieve this, start by:
- Taking courses: Courses in political theory are essential for someone looking to get into politics. Understanding local government functions will make it easier to transfer knowledge into whatever setting you’re in. What’s more, courses on public administration are helpful as this is the main focus of a mayor’s daily duties. While many opt to take these courses through degree programs, there are options for taking these courses individually online through learning platforms.
- Getting involved in local politics and the community: Start by attending council and other important meetings to better understand the town’s happenings. This approach will also allow you to meet other public officials and network.
- Start learning citizens’ concerns: Before officially running for office, you can learn about some pressing matters in your community by speaking with people you meet in the community or at council meetings. Having a sense of the issues that the town’s citizens are facing will be vital in gaining support.
What skills are needed to be a mayor?
As a civic leader, one must possess a few essential skills to become mayor of a small town. In addition to a working knowledge of how the local government functions and the critical concerns of the citizens in the community, a mayor must also be good at:
- Communication: Communicating ideas is essential for anyone in a leadership position.
- Decision-making: Getting things done requires more than just discussing and planning; decisions must be made, which requires someone who can analyze and settle on the best available option.
- Empathy: This skill is essential for mayors as the citizens will look to their leader to respond to their concerns and help them, so empathy is crucial.
- Leadership: This skill is a given for any elected official. Having the ability to lead is an implicit part of the job.
- Persuasion: The power of influence is vital as a mayor as there will be times when only some are on the same page over an issue and there will have to be persuasive appealing on your part in order to ensure all parties are satisfied.
- Financial management skills: Mayors are responsible for making fiscally responsible decisions, so being money savvy is always great.
- Negotiation skills: Along with persuasion, negotiation skills are another critical skill for mayors that allows them to effectively get things done during their term.
What Makes a Good Mayor in a Small Town?
With all other questions answered, there is one last thing to address when discussing the mayoral position in any small town: what makes a good mayor?
Many people understand the frustration of voting for a candidate with wonderful promises only to find out they won’t follow through. Honesty is the number one quality that makes for a good mayor. People look to their town officials, such as the mayor, to help address some of their difficulties, and having someone honest about what they can and can’t achieve makes a big difference.
Some other qualities of a good mayor are the same as the skills needed to become a mayor: good communication, significant decision-making, and excellent leadership.
Without a doubt, a mayor with these qualities will be ready to get things done to help those they represent.
A Final Word
Becoming mayor of a small town is a career that requires a lot of responsibility but can also be very rewarding. A solid campaign through community outreach and strong citizens support is the key to success in becoming mayor.
While there may not be specific education and experience, many mayoral candidates obtain Bachelor’s and Master’s education in public administration and political science. However, increased access to education and online learning- these courses are often available online at the fraction of the cost of attending university.
Lastly, there are some critical skills to have as a mayor that will not only help their ability to do their job but also make for a popular public servant in their hometown. These skills include good communication, honesty, strong leadership, negotiation, persuasion, and financial savviness.
So, what do you think? Is becoming a mayor in a small town the right career path for you?
Share This Post