City of West Lafayette, Indiana

Mayor John R. Dennis

The mayor is the chief executive officer of the city and is responsible for overseeing operations of the city departments. He also presides over the City Council and Board of Public Works and Safety.

The mayor's term of office is 4 years with no restrictions on the number of terms served. A candidate for mayor must have been a resident of West Lafayette for at least one year. The mayor must reside within the city. The mayor is responsible for the overall operation of city government.

Current Mayor John R. Dennis took office January 2008. Aside from a few years after college Mayor Dennis has been a life-long West Lafayette resident.

Educated in the West Lafayette School system he went on to receive his Bachelor's in Safety Engineering and Master's in Criminology both from Indiana State University. Following college he joined the Lafayette, Indiana police force where he rose through the ranks from patrolman to Deputy Chief, the highest-ranking merit position. In addition, he received numerous awards and recognitions, including Officer of the Year.

An avid supporter of community service he is actively involved in the American Red Cross, the Community and Family Resource Center, the Girl Scouts, the Marquis Foundation, United Way, adjunct faculty - Ivy Tech, and a member of Kiwanis.

The Mayor's powers and duties include:

Enforcing the ordinances of the city and the statutes of the state
Providing a "State of the City" summary to the City Council at least once per year
Providing information regarding city affairs that the Common Council requests
Recommending action to the City Council
Preparing the city budget for council review
Calling special meetings of the City Council when necessary
Supervising subordinate officers
Signing all bonds, deeds, contracts and licenses issued by the city
Approving or vetoing ordinances and resolutions of the City Council (veto power subject to Council override, may be exercised on an item basis on appropriation measures)
Appointing heads of executive departments and many board and commission members
Suspending or removing many officers or employees appointed by the Mayor
Setting the salaries of appointed officials and employees, subject to City Council approval
Adopting rules and regulations for individual departments and conducting meetings of department heads
Solemnizing marriages
Ensuring efficient governing of the city

News and Announcements

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Beautification Award Winner 6-2010
Published: 08/19/2010
West Lafayette Beautification Award June, 2010 The Beautification Award for June is going to Billy...
WL Newsletter (Spring 2010)
Published: 04/23/2010
WL Newsletter (Spring 2010)
Strategic Plan - 2010
Published: 02/19/2010
Strategic Plan 2010

2010 State of the City - Mayor John Dennis	2009 State of the City - Mayor John Dennis
Past Mayors of West Lafayette	2008 State of the City - Mayor John Dennis