The Mars Hill Mayor and Board of Aldermen are responsible for legislative duties like establishing municipal laws and policies, as well as adopting the annual budget and prioritizing town projects and improvements.  

The Town of Mars Hill organizational structure is under the "council-manager" form of government that empowers the governing board to appoint a professional town manager. The manager acts as the chief executive officer, handling day-to-day operations, preparing the municipal budget, and executing the policies established by the elected officials.

The Town of Mars Hill Mayor and Board of Aldermen consists of five members, including a directly elected Mayor.  Each member is elected to alternating four-year terms.  Elections are held in odd-numbered years, with two Aldermen elected to four (4) year terms in one cycle, while the Mayor and the other two Aldermen are elected in the next cycle. All seats are considered at large (no district representation) and elections are conducted on a partisan basis.

Mayor & Board of Aldermen
John L. Chandler
Mayor

Larry Davis
Alderman / Secretary

Nicholas Honeycutt
Alderman / Vice-Mayor

Stuart Jolley
Alderman / Town Clerk

Robert (Bob) Zink
Alderman / Treasurer

Mayor & board of aldermen Meetings
The Mars Hill Mayor and Board of Aldermen meets the first Monday of the month at the Town Hall, 280 North Main Street. Meetings are held at 6:00 pm.

Public HearingsThe law requires that the Board hold public hearings to provide an opportunity for the public to give comments on specific issues, such as zoning ordinance changes. Many grant applications for federal or state money also require public hearings. Public hearings are usually held at the beginning of regular Board meetings and are advertised in county newspapers for two weeks prior to the hearing.
Work SessionsThe Board may schedule Work Sessions to discuss issues needing attention between regular Board meetings. Work Sessions are open to the public and notices are posted 48 hours prior to such meetings at the Town Hall.
Citizen CommentsThe NC General Statutes stipulate that town Board meetings shall provide at least one period for public comment per month at a regular meeting. The Board can adopt reasonable rules governing the conduct of the public comment period such as the maximum time allocated to each speaker.