Government

City Government

Kansas Local Government

By State law, cities in Kansas are divided into three classes.

Cities of the 3rd Class - When a city incorporates, it becomes a city of the 3rd class. To incorporate, a city must generally have either 300 inhabitants or 300 or more platted lots served by water and sewer lines. (Shawnee incorporated as a city of the 3rd class on June 10, 1922.)

Cities of the 2nd Class - A city may petition to become a city of the 2nd class when its population is more than 2,000 but less than 15,000. A city whose population is between 2,000 and 5,000 may elect to remain a city of the 3rd class, but must become a city of the 2nd class when it reaches 5,000 population. (Shawnee became a city of the 2nd class on January 29, 1957.)

Cities of the 1st Class - A city may petition to become a city of the 1st class when its population reaches 15,000. A city whose population is between 15,000 and 25,000 may elect to remain a city of the 2nd class but must become a city of the 1st class when it reaches 25,000 population. (Shawnee became a city of the 1st class on October 22, 1971).

Elections

The City of Shawnee is divided into four wards, with two councilmembers elected to represent each ward. The Mayor is elected to serve the city-at-large. Elections are held the 1st Tuesday in April of every even year, with one councilmember from each of the four wards up for re-election. The Mayor is up for re-election every four years. Primary elections (if needed) are held five weeks before the general election. Primaries are held only if there are more than 2 candidates for an office. Elections are non-partisan.

Mayor

The Mayor is elected at large to serve a four-year term.

City Council

City Council is elected by wards to serve four-year overlapping terms.  After every regular city election, the Council elects one of its members to serve as president of the council, who in in the absence or disability of the mayor, becomes acting mayor.

City of Shawnee, 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203
(913) 631-2500 Fax (913) 631-7351 E-Mail