Serving as Polk County’s seat, Bolivar is a hub for retail, business, health care, and education for the area. In turn, the decisions of city leadership and elected officials impact many people throughout the county.
The City of Bolivar serves around 11,000 residents with a mayor-board of aldermen form of government, with a mayor and eight aldermen. Currently, the aldermen each serve two-year terms. The mayor serves a three-year term.
The city is divided into four wards with two aldermen representing each ward.
Each year, four aldermen, one from each ward, are up for election. There is a city election the first Tuesday of April at which city officials are elected.
The only other elected city official is the city collector.
Other positions — such as city administrator, city clerk, deputy city clerk, city attorney, assistant city attorneys, police chief and fire chief — are appointed by the mayor or hired by the board.
Bolivar’s city administrator manages day-to-day operations.
