Tower City, North Dakota

Tower City, North Dakota operates under the mayor-council form of government, which is the most common structure for cities across North Dakota. Under this system, both the mayor and council members are elected on a nonpartisan ballot by the residents of Tower City. These elected officials serve as volunteers, donating their time and effort to manage city affairs and ensure that Tower City remains a safe, well-maintained, and welcoming community for all who live here.

Mayor Stacey Lilja

Mayor Stacey Lilja serves as the chief executive officer of Tower City. Under North Dakota state law, the mayor presides at all meetings of the city council and casts the deciding vote in the event of a tie. The mayor is responsible for signing or vetoing ordinances and resolutions passed by the council, representing the city in official matters, and working with council members to set priorities and address community needs. Mayor Lilja brings a commitment to the core values that Tower City residents hold dear, including safety, neighborliness, responsible growth, and preserving the small-town character that defines life here on the North Dakota prairie.

City Council Members

Tower City's four council members work alongside the mayor to govern the city and make decisions that affect daily life in our community. The current council members are:

John Blaskowski – Council Member
Peter Lunder – Council Member
Jerry Steichen – Council Member
John Unger – Council Member

Together, the council is responsible for passing local ordinances, approving the city budget, managing public infrastructure including streets and water systems, overseeing parks and recreation areas, and planning for the long-term needs of the community. The laws passed by the city council are called ordinances, and they may address topics ranging from traffic and property maintenance to public safety and zoning. Council members also coordinate with Cass County and Barnes County officials on regional issues that affect Tower City and neighboring communities.

How the Mayor-Council Government Works

In North Dakota's mayor-council system, the mayor serves as the city's chief executive while the council acts as the legislative body. The mayor holds office for a four-year term and must be a qualified elector within the city. Council members are also elected by Tower City residents on a nonpartisan ballot. This structure ensures that the people making decisions about Tower City's future are the same people who live here, raise their families here, and understand firsthand the needs and priorities of the community.

The council meets regularly to conduct city business, and all meetings are open to the public in accordance with North Dakota's open meetings laws. Agendas and meeting notices are posted publicly so residents can stay informed about the topics being discussed. During meetings, residents have the opportunity to address the council, ask questions, and share their input on matters affecting the community.

A Tradition of Service

Serving on the city council or as mayor of a small North Dakota community is an act of civic dedication. These are not paid positions with large staffs and dedicated offices. Tower City's elected officials balance their public service with their personal lives, careers, and family responsibilities. They attend meetings after long days of work, field phone calls from neighbors with concerns, and often pitch in personally when a project needs to get done. This hands-on approach to governance has been a tradition in Tower City since the earliest days of our founding in 1879, when the first settlers came together to organize a community on the open prairie.

Contact Your Elected Officials

The mayor and council want to hear from you. Whether you have a question about a city service, a concern about your neighborhood, or an idea for making Tower City even better, your input is valued and welcomed. You can reach out through our Contact Us page or email us directly at contact@towercitynd.com. In a community this size, your voice truly matters, and our elected officials are always accessible.