Government Overview

The City of Richmond operates under a Mayor Administrator-Council form of government. City Hall is located at 205 Summit Street, in downtown Richmond.

An eight-member Council, chaired by the Mayor, presides over the city and meets twice a month at 6:30PM on the second and fourth Wednesday in the City Hall Council Chambers. 

Under Richmond's form of government, City Council members are elected to two-year terms on a rotating basis with two representatives elected from each of four wards. The Mayor is elected at large to a four-year term. The mayor presides over the City Council meetings and Council members elect a mayor pro-tem, who presides over meetings when the mayor is unavailable to attend. The mayor pro-tem is elected from within the Council on an annual basis.

City Council members are appointed to committees by the Mayor annually. Committees established to review city projects include the Water Committee, Finance Committee, Public Works Committee, Public Safety Committee, and Ordinance Committee. Each committee consists of three Council members, with one being the chairman. The committees meet during the workshop meeting of the Council.

By law, virtually all city business requiring council approval must be presented to the council during meetings that are open to the public. In addition to paying bills and discussing city projects and expenditures, time is allotted at the beginning of each meeting for residents to voice their concerns to the Council. Residents may attend any committee meeting held during the work sessions. Residents may also bring any concern to the City Administrator whose office is located on the upper level of City Hall.

For more City of Richmond Government, please pick up a copy of "Get To Know Richmond And Ray County" booklet at The City of Richmond, City Hall, or The Richmond Chamber of Commerce Office.

Important City Information

Richmond City Taxes, Fees and Licenses

The City of Richmond has made it easy for residents and newcomers alike to conduct civic business. Nearly all the required taxes, fees and licenses can be paid at the Collector's office in Richmond City Hall at 205 Summit Street.

City personal property taxes are paid by residents on an annual basis and are due by December 31 each year. Residents tax notices are mailed each November and are delinquent if not paid by the December 31 deadline. Personal Property taxes are levied on vehicles, cars, trucks and boats. A city sticker is required for each vehicle, $5.00 for cars and $6.00 for trucks. Trailers are required to have a license. City Real Estate taxes are due annually on the same schedule.

Residents may pay for water, sewer and trash at City Hall. All three services are combined on one monthly billing statement. New water service, disconnects and billing statements are serviced by the City Collector's Office.

New Fee for photocopies. The custodian shall charge ten cents ($.10) per page for duplication costs and ten dollars ($10.00) per hour for document search; provided however, that the fee for copies of bond receipts and other bond documents of the Richmond Municipal Court and/or Richmond Police Department shall be two dollars ($2.00) for each report requested and no hourly charge for document search shall be levied for such documents. Said fees for copying public records shall not exceed the actual cost of document search and duplication. Upon request, the public governmental body shall certify in writing that the actual cost of document search and duplication is fair, reasonable and does not exceed the actual cost incurred by the public governmental body. The custodian my require payment prior to duplicating any documents.

New business licenses, all building and construction or remodeling permits are available at Richmond City Hall. The City Collector's Office provides all the necessary applications and information. The City Collector can be contacted at Richmond City Hall or by phone at 816-776-2343 citycollector@cityofrichmondmo.org

Pet Licenses

Annually, all pets residing in the city limits must be vaccinated and licensed. City ordinances limit pets to three per household. The license fee for a pet is $20.00; $5.00 if spayed or neutered. A vet will provide the necessary papers for each pet's license and registration. Annually the City of Richmond sponsors a pet health and vaccination day for your convenience. For information regarding pet ordinances, leash laws or complaints contact Richmond Animal Control at 816-776-5826.

Council Meetings

Council Meetings are held at 6:30pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month in the Council Chambers. The public is welcome to all meetings.

Elections

Municipal elections are held on the first Tuesday of April. At this election each year, one Council person is elected from each ward to serve a two-year term. The Mayor is elected, at large, for a four-year term.

Important City and County Phone Numbers: