the municipal secretary desktop reference manual - Southwestern ...

The role of county government has both state and local dimensions. It continues to perform
its traditional role as an agent of the state for the purpose of administration of justice, keeping legal
records, the conduct of elections and the administration of prior relief. Over the years the county has
been given power and functions commonly viewed as local rather than state in character. Examples
of newly created county functions are land use controls, parks and recreation, public health, housing
and redevelopment.
City Government
There are four classes of cities in Pennsylvania: first (Philadelphia), second (Pittsburgh),
second A (Scranton), and third (e.g. Greensburg, Washington, Uniontown, Reading and Lock
Haven). The first three of these cities have home rule charters. Thirty one of the 53 third class cities
have abandoned their traditional governmental structure for one provided by either a home rule
charter, an optional charter or an optional plan.
The State=s third largest cities have a strong mayor form of government. The elected mayor
possesses vast power: broad appointive and removal authority, budget preparation and control power
and veto power. Because of these powers, the mayor is the dominant force in the city government.
Twenty-two of the third class cities operate under a commission form of government. Under
this structure administrative, management and legislative powers are vested in the elected
commission. The commission is a five member body consisting of a mayor and four members. The
mayor is first among equals, and is the commission=s presiding officer. The mayor is also
responsible for a city=s police department. Each of the other commissioners heads one of the four
other city departments.
The 31 cities with Anew@ governmental structures either have a strong mayor form or a
council manager plan. The mayor possesses authority similar to that given other city mayors
functioning with this structure. In cities with the council-manager plan, the council retains
considerable authority; however, its appointed manager is the city=s chief executive officer. The
officer has policy and administrative powers similar to those vested in a strong mayor, except the
manager has no veto power.
Borough and Township Government
The appended organization charts show a typical borough, first class township and second
class township governmental structure. Each chart indicates the relationship between elected
officials, staff, employees and various boards and commissions. Although these organizations can be
viewed as Atypical,@ few boroughs and townships are actually structured as shown.
The Borough and Township Codes contain few organizational details and allow wide
flexibility in defining the operating departments. Small jurisdictions may have no formal
departmental structure or may have only a department of streets or public works. Larger boroughs
and townships will have separate departments for functions such as parks, police, finance, streets,
solid waste or others. The number of departments and their respective functions is based on local
needs as determined by the council or board.
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