Oxford City Council takes formal action through ordinances and resolutions. This page is intended to help residents understand the different types of legislation adopted by Council and provide easy access to recently adopted ordinances and resolutions.
Ordinances Versus Resolutions
Ordinances are required for all actions on matters of a general or permanent nature, including:
- Granting a franchise
- Levying a tax
- Appropriating money
- Contracting an indebtedness
- Issuing bonds or notes
- Purchasing, leasing, or transferring property
Examples of ordinances:
- Amending the zoning code for a district
- Purchasing land to be used for the Oxford Area Trail System
- Approving a planned development
Resolutions are used for all other matters of a temporary or informal nature.
Examples of resolutions:
- Accepting a recommendation to install a public mural on a City-owned building
- Contracts and Agreements to purchase equipment or services
Consent Agenda
Resolutions placed on the consent agenda are adopted by motion without reading each one aloud. The City Manager recommends that resolutions on generally recurring matters be adopted as part of the Consent Agenda in order to more efficiently manage City Council business.
Examples of consent agenda items are:
- Minutes from previous City Council meetings, work sessions, or executive sessions
- Reports or summaries from a City of Oxford Board & Commission