Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Mayor are detailed in the Rochester Hills City Charter. The Mayor is the administrative and executive head of the city. The Mayor is also a conservator of the peace and may exercise the powers conferred upon sheriffs to suppress disorder. The City Charter also charges the Mayor with the following powers and duties:

• Maintain an office during normal business hours;
• Enforce all laws and city ordinances and regulations;
• Appoint and remove for cause directors and employees of the city;
• Ensure that terms and conditions favorable to the city in contracts and other instruments are faithfully kept and performed;
• Sign contracts and other instruments on behalf of the city;
• Prepare and administer the city's annual budget and keep the Council and public advised of the city's financial condition and needs;
• Annually present a complete report of the finances and administrative activities of the city for the prior fiscal year;
• Make recommendations to the Council for measures the Mayor deems to be expedient or necessary;
• Be responsible for the efficient administration of all departments of the city;
• Approval administrative rules and regulations of all city departments, boards and commissions before such rules and regulations take effect;
• Serve as the spokesperson for the city;
• Perform all administrative functions of the city not imposed by law or ordinance on another city officer or agency;
• Provide periodic reports to the Council regarding the work of the city administration;
• Exercise a veto of any ordinance or resolution by the Council (except those resolutions that fill a vacancy on the Council, set the Mayor's salary, or appoint members of the Elections Commission);
• Recommend personnel policies and procedures for the city;
• Appoint boards and commissions as provided by law.

Organization

The Mayor's Office is organized to provide the mayor with the best possible support in the performance of the mayor's responsibilities. The functions of the Mayor's staff are divided into the areas of Administration, Finance, Communications, and Management Information Systems Team.

To contact the Mayor's Office please Email.

A Message from the Mayor

Dear Friends:

As I sit down to write this, I am reminded of the many wonderful people and places that create our town, Rochester Hills. My husband and I fell in love with this "little" town 32 years ago and decided this is where we wanted to raise our children and spend our retirement years. As our seasons change, so does the makeup of our city. Many of us feel that we should stay as we were.

Many others want wider roads and the best technology the world has to offer. Many more residents want to enjoy all the "perks" billion dollar companies continue to have. And so it goes on.

It is my pledge as your new Mayor for the next four years that the residents will be heard and the needs of the residents will be met, not the wants of the chosen few. I also pledge that "people to people" will, again, be the best technology we have. It is my guarantee to you, that your employees at City Hall will communicate and assist you with the many issues and questions that you, the resident, will have in the coming months and years.

It will indeed be my pleasure to serve you, the residents, as I have served you in the past on council. I am looking forward to my new position with much enthusiasm and even higher expectations. I promise you that I will keep the residents of Rochester Hills at the forefront of all that I do.

I wish to thank all the residents of Rochester Hills who have worked effortlessly and continued to give from their hearts and their time and dedication to keep this city, Rochester Hills, the greatest little city in the world. I wish also to thank all of you who have put their faith and trust in me. I will make every effort to restore the trust and integrity that this great city of our deserves.

On behalf of all your employees at City Hall, I would like to wish you and your families a wonderful and healthy year.

Best Wishes,

Pat Somerville, Mayor
City of Rochester Hills