DESCRIPTION: Like other traditional city councils in Utah, the Alton town council consists of a mayor and four trustees who are responsible to exercise the community's legislative and executive powers (Utah Code Unannotated, 1991, 10-3-101). Council meeting minutes should provide a record of topics discussed. Entries for each meeting should also include the date and the names of those present. However, the Alton town council minutes are more in the form of notes taken at council meetings and do not consistently provide this information.

The Alton town council appoints city officials and appropriates their salaries, levies taxes, and approves expenditures. It provides or contracts for services and utilities and maintains a culinary water system. The council issues licenses to dog owners and manages activity within the community. Because Alton has a small population the council has solicited volunteers to keep the community clean and to maintain streets, road signs, the town hall, and other community property. The council approves youth service projects and provides leadership for July 4th celebrations. In July 1997 the council sponsored a two-day town homecoming celebration. The town council has been concerned with such things as traffic violations, stray animals, and deer trespassing in residents' gardens.