In 2023, three resident-led petitions were submitted to the City and the County for consideration on a future ballot. Johnson County District Court determined that a petition to abandon the City of Prairie Village's form of government substantially complied with statutory procedures and, therefore, may be placed on a ballot. The Court also ruled that the other two petition issues could not be placed on a ballot. This judgement was upheld by the Kansas Court of Appeals in March 2025. In June 2025, the Kansas Supreme Court declined to review the decision, clearing the way for the issue to be placed on the November 2025 ballot. 

For more information on the history of the petitions visit the 2023 petitions page.

Prairie Village operates with a mayor-council form of government. This is the oldest and most common form of government in the state – and the structure Prairie Village has operated under since receiving its charter in 1951. Currently, 554 of the 625 cities in Kansas operate under a mayor-council form of government, including 15 other Johnson County cities.

How does the mayor-council form of government function?

Under this form, the mayor presides at all meetings of the council and has general supervisory responsibility over the business of the city. In Prairie Village, there is a city administrator, appointed by the mayor with the approval of the majority of the city council. The city administrator oversees the day-to-day functions of the city and supervision of all employees and departments.

How does city council function?

The Prairie Village city council is currently made up of 12 members with two representatives from each of the city’s six wards. They are elected to four-year terms with elections staggered every two years.

A "yes" vote is a vote to abandon Prairie Village's current Mayor-Council form of government.

A "no" vote is a vote to keep Prairie Village's current Mayor-Council form of government. 

If the ballot measure passes, the City would continue to operate in its current form unless a separate, subsequent action is taken to adopt a different form of government. Adoption of a new form of government would require additional actions as set forth under Kansas statutes.

Kansas law, KSA 12-184 provides the legal guidance for adoption or abandonment of forms of city government.