Mayor Bill Wells Biography

Bill Wells was elected mayor in November 2010, a position that continues many years of service to the City of Murray. Mayor Wells became principal of Murray High School in 1982 and served in the position until 1995 at which time he became the first Director for the Murray Family Resource Center. Since 2002, Mayor Wells has worked with 5 counties for the Gear Up and Soar program at MSU along with working in 8 counties with intern teachers. He has been the driving force and organizer for "Make a Difference Day," Murray's first organized community-wide recycling program, which he co-founded in 1995. In July of 2009, Mayor Wells was named Citizen of the Year by the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce at its annual dinner. He has been an active member and served in leadership positions in the Murray Rotary Club, CASA, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the United Way. Mayor Wells has been on the Murray City Council for 18 years, serving on the Finance Committee for ten of those years. He and his wife of 45 years, have two children, Shannon and Adam.

Office of the Mayor

The city of Murray operates under a Mayor-Council form of government. Under this form of government, the citizens of Murray elect a mayor and twelve council members. The former is elected to a four-year term, while the latter are elected to two-year terms.

Statutory requirements - KRS 83A.040(1) - states that a candidate for mayor must be at least 25 years old, be a qualified voter in the city, and be a resident of the city throughout the term of office.

The mayor must be elected at a regular election, KRS 83A.040(1). The mayor takes office on January 1st following the election and serves a four year term.

The mayor must take an oath of office before they can begin their official duties. (KRS 62.010)

In a Mayor-Council form of government, the mayor is not a a member of the legislative body, but is the executive body (KRS 83A.010; KRS 83A.130). He or she serves as chief executive and administrative officer of the city. This elected position oversees the city's daily activities. The Mayor may veto ordinances or break a tie. He or she presides over city meetings. The Mayor appoints all city employees, including police officers, except for city council staff. He or she disciplines and dismisses all city employees at will, except city council staff, subject to tenure or protection by statute or ordinance or contract.

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