Town Government & Services
Mayor & Board of Aldermen
Council-Manager Form of Government
Town Finance & Budget
Code of Ordinances
The Town of Spencer provides a range of core services to residents and visitors. The Town operates under the Council-Manager Form of Government, where the elected officials appoint a professional Town Manager to handle the day-to-day management of the Town services and staff. The elected Board of Aldermen also appoints members of various boards and commissions who assist the town in several decision-making and community involvement processes.
Please send all Board of Alderman correspondence to the following mailing address:
Spencer Board of Aldermen
P.O. Box 45
Spencer, NC 28159
Mission & Core Values
Our Mission
At the Town of Spencer, we serve with effective, responsive, and collaborative teamwork to be a model community.
Our Vision
Through leadership, innovation and pride, we will…
- BUILD upon our unique cultural and historical identity;
- GROW our economic base by supporting business and expanding tourism;
- IMPROVE our infrastructure and services on a continual basis;
- ENCOURAGE healthy lifestyles through parks and recreation;
- SUPPORT education by promoting partnerships with local schools;
- CULTIVATE good relationships with local organizations and other municipalities;
- UPHOLD community integrity through enforcement of codes and regulations;
- PROVIDE a safe place to live, work, and play;
- SERVE the community with a talented and professional staff;
- ENGAGE citizens through events, education, and communication; and
- STAND together as a model community.
Our Core Values
Communication • Diversity • Honesty • Integrity • Respect • Stewardship • Trust • Unity
Mayor & Board of Aldermen
Council-Manager Form of Government
Town Finance & Budget
Code of Ordinances
Mayor & Board of Aldermen
In Spencer, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen are all elected at-large, on a non-partisan basis, to two-year terms. The Mayor serves as the presiding officer at Board of Aldermen meetings and as the official head of the Town at ceremonies and events.
Under the council-manager form of government, the Board of Aldermen acts as the legislative body in establishing policy and law, including adopting an annual budget. The Board appoints a professional Town Manager to handle the day-to-day management of the Town services and staff. The Board of Aldermen also appoints members of various boards and commissions.
The current term of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen began in December 2019 and continues until December 2021. The Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., with a pre-agenda meeting the Thursday prior at 5:30 p.m.
Find out more information about the Board of Aldermen Agendas and Minutes.
Town of Spencer Mayor & Board of Aldermen
Appointed Boards
The Town of Spencer has volunteer opportunities on several appointed boards. Members are involved in the review of applications submitted to the Town for rezoning, conditional use permits, development changes in the Historic District, and other important processes. Each Board typically meets once per month at a designated day and time.
Find out more on the Appointed Boards and Commissions page.
Council-Manager Form of Government
The Town of Spencer operates under the council-manager form of government. Under this form of government, Spencer residents elect a governing body – including the Mayor as chief elected official – to adopt legislation and set policy. The governing body then hires a professional manager with broad executive authority to carry out those policies and oversee the local government’s day-to-day operations.
The council-manager role of government recognizes the critical role of elected officials as policymakers, who focus on mapping out collective vision for the community and establishing policies to govern it. The form also recognizes the need for a highly-qualified individual who is devoted exclusively to the delivery of services to residents.
Key responsibilities of the Town Manager include:
- Implementing priorities and policy decisions of the Board of Aldermen.
- Directing and supervising the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the town, subject to the general direction and control of the Board, except as otherwise provided by law.
- Ensuring that local, state and federal laws and regulations are met.
- Preparing an annual budget recommendation for Board consideration.
The council-manager form of government has become the most popular type of local government in the United States and in North Carolina for communities with populations of 2,500 or greater.
Download more information from the UNC School of Government on the council-manager form of government.
Town Finance & Budget
The Finance Team is responsible for planning and directing the disbursement and accounting of all revenues and expenditures for the Town of Spencer. The Finance Officer is the Town’s chief fiscal officer, responsible for budget, purchasing, accounting, general revenue collections, fiscal management and control, and payroll operations.
Learn more about Doing Business with the Town
Code of Ordinances
The most up-to-date way to access current Town laws and policies is to read our Code of Ordinances. Please disregard chapters 154 and 155, as they were repealed with the adoption of the new Spencer Development Ordinance in 2021.
For more information, contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 704-633-2231.