George Eskridge – Mayor
(208) 265-8339
cityclerk@cityofdoveridaho.org
Term: Expires 2026
(208) 265-8339
cityclerk@cityofdoveridaho.org
Term: Expires 2026
Kim Bledsoe – Council President
(208) 265-8339
citycouncil@cityofdoveridaho.org
Term: expires 2026
Merlin Glass
208-265-8339
citycouncil@cityofdoveridaho.org
Term: Expires 2026
Dan Parkin
208-265-8339
citycouncil@cityofdoveridaho.org
Term: 2020-2024
Marty Hoffman
208-265-8339
citycouncil@cityofdoveridaho.org
Term: expires 2024
LEGISLATIVE
FISCAL
QUASI-JUIDICIAL
The City Council is governed by Title 50 Chapter 7 of the Idaho statutes.
Title 50 Chapter 7
50-701. Composition — Powers. The legislative authority of each city in the state of Idaho, except those operating under the provisions of section[s] 50-801 through 50-812 shall be vested in a council consisting of either four (4) or six (6) members, one half (1/2) of whom shall be elected at each general city election. Councils shall have such powers and duties as are now or may hereafter be provided under the general laws of the state of Idaho.
50-702. Qualification of councilmen — Terms — Installation. Any person shall be eligible to hold the office of councilman of his city who is a qualified elector at the time his declaration of candidacy or declaration of intent is submitted to the city clerk, and remains a qualified elector under the constitution and laws of the state of Idaho. Each councilman elected at a general city election, except as otherwise specifically provided, shall hold office for a term of four (4) years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. Councilmen elected at each general city election shall be installed at the first meeting in January following election. The manner of conducting that meeting shall be as herein set forth and not otherwise: the incumbents shall meet and conduct such business as may be necessary to conclude the fiscal matters of the preceding year; the newly elected shall then subscribe to the oath of office, be presented certificates of election, assume the duties of their position, and conduct such business as may be necessary, one (1) item of which shall be the election of a member as president of the council.
50-703. Change in number of councilmen. A. Any city may change to the greater or lesser number of councilmen after an election instituted by resolution of the council or by petition as provided for initiative in sections 50-502 through 50-517, Idaho Code, such election to be held not less than sixty (60) days before any general city election. When the proposition submitted to the electors shall receive a favorable vote, officials shall be elected at the succeeding general city election, provided however, that should such election be conducted in a year when no general city election is to be held, such new positions shall be filled by appointment within thirty (30) days.
(a) When the number of councilmen to be elected is to be reduced from six (6) to four (4), there shall be elected one (1) councilman, to serve a term of four (4) years. At the next succeeding general city election, there shall be elected two (2) councilmen, each to serve a term of four (4) years, and one (1) councilman to serve a term of two (2) years.
(b) When the number of councilmen to be elected is to be increased from four (4) to six (6), there shall be elected three (3) councilmen, each to serve a term of four (4) years, and one (1) councilman to serve a term of two (2) years.
B. Any city operating under the city manager form of government may change to the greater or lesser number of councilmen after an election instituted under subsection (A).
(a) When the number of councilmen to be elected is to be reduced from seven (7) to five (5);
1. If there are four (4) councilmen up for election at the next general city election, there shall be elected two (2) councilmen, each to serve a term of four (4) years.
2. If there are three (3) councilmen up for election at the next general city election, there shall be elected one (1) councilman, to serve a term of four (4) years. At the next succeeding general city election, there shall be elected three (3) councilmen, each to serve a term of four (4) years and one (1) councilman, to serve a term of two (2) years.
(b) When the number of councilmen to be elected is to be increased from five (5) to seven (7);
1. If there are two (2) councilmen up for election at the next general city election, there shall be elected four (4) councilmen, each to serve a term of four (4) years.
2. If there are three (3) councilmen up for election at the next general city election, there shall be elected four (4) councilmen, each to serve a term of four (4) years and one (1) councilman to serve a term of two (2) years.
50-704. Vacancies — Appointment. A vacancy on the council shall be filled by appointment made by the mayor with the consent of the council, which appointee shall serve only until the next general city election, at which such vacancy shall be filled for the balance of the original term.
50-705. Meetings of council — Quorum — Discipline. Regular meetings of the city council shall be held each month at such place and times as the council may establish by ordinance. At all meetings of the council a majority of the full council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; unless otherwise provided by law, a question before the council shall be decided by a majority of the members present.
For the purpose of holding regular or special meetings a number less than a majority may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as the council may, by ordinance, have previously prescribed. Regular or special meetings of the council may be recessed until further notice.
50-706. Special meetings of council. One[-]half (1/2) plus one (1) of the members of the full council shall have the power to call special meetings of the city council, the object of which shall be submitted to the council in writing; the call and object, as well as the disposition thereof, shall be entered upon the journal of the clerk.
50-707. Assignment of council seats. Any city, by ordinance, may assign a number to each council seat. Upon the adoption of such an ordinance, and at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the next general election, the city clerk shall assign a number for each council seat. Any candidate seeking election to the council shall file for one (1) of the assigned council seats.
50-707A. Election of councilmen by districts. (1) Any city may, by ordinance, provide for districts and the election of councilmen by districts. Upon the adoption of such an ordinance and at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to each general election, the governing body of the city shall establish the territory of council districts in accordance with this section.
(2) Each district shall consist of one or more contiguous election precincts and each district shall, to the nearest extent possible, contain the same number of people based upon the most recent federal census.
(3) Each city providing for the election of councilmen by districts shall establish the number of districts corresponding to the number of council seats determined by the city pursuant to section 50-701, Idaho Code, or for any city having a governing body governed by the provisions of sections 50-801 through 50-812, Idaho Code, the number of council seats determined by the city pursuant to section 50-805, Idaho Code.
(4) Upon adoption of such an ordinance, a council shall determine, not less than ninety (90) days before the next general city election, if council members are to be elected by electors from the entire city, or by the electors of the said geographic district. The council shall also determine, not less than ninety (90) days before the next general election, the method of the implementation of this ordinance.
50-707B. Majority may be required for election — Runoff election. A city may, by ordinance, provide that a majority of the votes for any candidate running for a council seat adopted by a city in accordance with section 50-707 or 50-707A, Idaho Code, shall be required for election to that office. In the event no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, there shall be a runoff election between the two (2) candidates receiving the highest number of votes cast. Such runoff election shall be conducted by the county clerk as in the general election in a manner consistent with chapter 14, title 34, Idaho Code, and at such time within thirty (30) days of the general election, as prescribed by the city and shall be exempt from the limitation upon elections provided in sections 34-106 and 50-405, Idaho Code. The ballot shall be prepared by the county clerk not less than twenty-two (22) days preceding the runoff election. The designation of polling places shall be made by the county commissioners not less than twenty (20) days preceding any runoff election, and sample ballots shall be printed not less than eighteen (18) days preceding the runoff election.
50-708. Examination of accounts of fiscal officers. At least once in each quarter of each year, the council shall examine, either in open session or by committee, the accounts and doings of all officers or other persons having the care, management or disposition of moneys, property or business of the city.