The City of Dell Rapids operates under the Mayor/Council form of government. This form of municipal government provides for an elected Mayor and City Council that establish Policies (rules and guides) for City government. The ordinances of Dell Rapids also provide for a City Administrator to administer these policies.
The Governing Body of Dell Rapids is comprised of the Mayor, who is elected at large, and eight aldermen elected by wards. The City is divided into four wards with two Council Members elected from each ward. These officials are elected for staggered two-year terms on a nonpartisan basis and are the only elected city officials. The Mayor is the presiding officer of the City Council. The Council annually elects a President and Vice-President to serve in the event of the Mayor's absence. The City Council sets policies through the adoption of 1) ordinances (city laws); 2) resolutions; 3) the annual budget; and 4) the city pay plan.
