Sveitarstjórnir

Sveitarstjórnir are the elected governing bodies of municipalities in Iceland. Each municipality, or sveitarfélag, has its own sveitarstjórn, which is responsible for the administration and management of local affairs. The number of members on a sveitarstjórn varies depending on the size of the municipality, typically ranging from five to fifteen individuals. Elections for sveitarstjórnir are held every four years.

The primary role of a sveitarstjórn is to oversee the services and development within its municipality. This includes areas such as urban planning, infrastructure development, education, social services, waste management, and recreational facilities. Sveitarstjórnir are also responsible for setting local tax rates and managing the municipal budget. They convene regular meetings to discuss and vote on important decisions, with minutes of these meetings generally being publicly available.

Members of a sveitarstjórn are elected by the residents of the municipality through a proportional representation system. Any Icelandic citizen or resident who meets certain age and residency requirements is eligible to vote and stand for election. The political composition of a sveitarstjórn often reflects the national political landscape, with representatives from various political parties. The mayor, or bæjarstjóri/oddviti, is typically the head of the sveitarstjórn, chosen from among its elected members.