OTTAWA GOVERNMENT
Ottawa was governed by a Mayor-Council system until 1913 when the City became a Commission form of government. In 1970 voters established the City Manager form of government with a five member Commission that annually selects a Mayor from its ranks. The citizens of Ottawa elect commissioners at-large. Three seats on the Commission are open every odd numbered year. Two Commissioners are elected to four-year terms and one is elected to a two-year term.
The City Commission is the legislative and policy making body of the City. Regular City Commission meetings are held on a Wednesday each month. The first Wednesday meeting is scheduled at 7:00 p.m., the second at 4:00 pm, the third Wednesday is set at 10:00 a.m. and the fourth at 4:00 pm. Finally, the City Commission also meets in joint session with the Franklin County Commission and U.S.D. 290 School Board every third Wednesday at noon. All meetings are open to the public.
Mayor - Mike Skidmore
Mike was born and raised in Ottawa. He graduated from OHS in 1974, and K-State in 1978, with a degree in agricultural economics. After his high school sweetheart, Marilee Thornburg, and him were married he moved to central Kansas where he began his career in banking. His family came back to Ottawa in 1995........LEARN MORE
City Manager - Brian Silcott
Brian Silcott was appointed to the position of City Manager on April 1, 2023, bringing more than 21 years of experience as a city manager and 30 years of public service. A native and lifelong Kansan, he previously served the citizens of Goddard... LEARN MORE