| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | affidavit | sworn written statement |
| 2. | agenda | list of meeting business |
| 3. | amendment | change to a proposal or law |
| 4. | annexation | adding land to a city |
| 5. | appeal | request to review a decision |
| 6. | application | formal request form |
| 7. | appropriation | money formally set aside |
| 8. | assessment | official value for taxation |
| 9. | attorney | lawyer representing a party |
| 10. | audit | official financial review |
| 11. | ballot | method or paper for voting |
| 12. | bid | offer to do work |
| 13. | board | official governing or advisory group |
| 14. | bond | debt security issued publicly |
| 15. | boundary | official dividing line |
| 16. | budget | plan for income and spending |
| 17. | building code | rules for construction safety |
| 18. | bylaw | a rule governing local matters |
| 19. | certificate | official document proving something |
| 20. | charter | document creating municipal powers |
| 21. | citation | official notice of an offense |
| 22. | clerk | official keeper of records |
| 23. | compliance | following rules or laws |
| 24. | contract | binding agreement |
| 25. | council | elected local governing body |
| 26. | county | regional local government unit |
| 27. | custodian | person responsible for records |
| 28. | debate | formal discussion before a vote |
| 29. | deed | legal document transferring property |
| 30. | disclosure | making information known |
| 31. | disposition | final handling of records |
| 32. | district | defined local area |
| 33. | docket | list of scheduled matters |
| 34. | easement | right to use another’s land |
| 35. | election | process of choosing officials |
| 36. | enactment | making a law official |
| 37. | enforcement | carrying out laws or rules |
| 38. | ethics | standards of official conduct |
| 39. | executive session | closed meeting for limited matters |
| 40. | exemption | legal reason to withhold |
| 41. | expenditure | money spent |
| 42. | fee | charge for a service |
| 43. | filing | submission of official documents |
| 44. | fine | money penalty |
| 45. | fire code | rules for fire safety |
| 46. | grant | funds given for a purpose |
| 47. | hearing | formal session for public input |
| 48. | inspection | official examination for compliance |
| 49. | insurance | coverage against risk |
| 50. | invoice | bill for goods or services |
| 51. | jurisdiction | area of legal authority |
| 52. | liability | legal responsibility |
| 53. | license | official permission to do something |
| 54. | mayor | head of a city government |
| 55. | meeting | gathering for official business |
| 56. | minutes | official notes of a meeting |
| 57. | motion | formal proposal for action |
| 58. | municipality | city or town government |
| 59. | notary | official who witnesses signatures |
| 60. | notice | official announcement or warning |
| 61. | nuisance | unlawful interference or annoyance |
| 62. | oath | solemn promise |
| 63. | occupancy | use or possession of space |
| 64. | open meeting | meeting accessible to the public |
| 65. | ordinance | a local law passed by council |
| 66. | parcel | a piece of land |
| 67. | permit | official authorization |
| 68. | petition | formal written request |
| 69. | plat | map of land divisions |
| 70. | precinct | small voting district |
| 71. | proclamation | public official announcement |
| 72. | procurement | official purchasing process |
| 73. | publication | official public release |
| 74. | quorum | minimum members needed to act |
| 75. | recess | temporary break in proceedings |
| 76. | record | officially kept information |
| 77. | redaction | removal of sensitive text |
| 78. | referendum | public vote on a measure |
| 79. | register | official list or record |
| 80. | repeal | official cancellation of a law |
| 81. | resolution | a formal decision or statement |
| 82. | retention | keeping records for a period |
| 83. | revenue | government income |
| 84. | roll call | calling names to record attendance |
| 85. | seal | official stamp of authority |
| 86. | second | support for a motion |
| 87. | session | formal meeting period |
| 88. | tax | required government payment |
| 89. | taxpayer | person who pays taxes |
| 90. | term | fixed period in office |
| 91. | treasurer | official managing public funds |
| 92. | utility | public service like water |
| 93. | vacancy | unfilled office or position |
| 94. | variance | approved exception to a rule |
| 95. | vendor | seller to the government |
| 96. | violation | breaking a rule or law |
| 97. | vote | formal expression of choice |
| 98. | waiver | official release from a requirement |
| 99. | ward | election district in a city |
| 100. | zoning | rules for land use |
