A university building stands before you. North Administration is the topic of our story today. This building is part of the government of New York City. The government is organized under the New York City Charter. It provides for a mayor-council system.
The mayor is elected to a four-year term. The mayor is responsible for the administration of city government. The New York City Council is a unicameral body. It has 51 members. Each is elected from a geographic district for four-year terms.
New York City’s government employs about 330000 people. This is more than any other city in the United States. It is more than any U.S. state but three. Those three are California, Texas, and New York. The city government handles public education. It also manages correctional institutions and public safety. Recreational facilities, sanitation, water supply, and welfare services are also under the city’s control.
New York City has five boroughs. Each borough is coextensive with one of five New York State counties. Brooklyn is Kings County. The Bronx is Bronx County. Manhattan is New York County. Queens is Queens County. Staten Island is Richmond County.
In 1898 New York City was consolidated into its present form. All previous town and county governments were abolished. This created the five boroughs and a unified city government. Each county retains its own district attorney to prosecute crimes. Most of the court system is organized around the counties. New York City is not an independent city. It is also not a consolidated city-county. It has multiple counties each with limited autonomy. New York City’s municipal structure exists in a category of its own. Each borough has an elected Borough President. This office is largely ceremonial.
The executive branch of New York City includes the Mayor. It also includes numerous departments, boards, and commissions. The Mayor appoints deputy mayors. They head major offices within the city government. The City Record publishes legal notices from city agencies each weekday except legal holidays. Regulations are compiled in the Rules of the City of New York.
The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the city. The mayor appoints and removes unelected officers. The mayor exercises all the powers vested in the city. The mayor is responsible for the integrity of city government operations. The mayor is elected by popular vote for a four-year term. The mayor creates the city’s budget. The New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget submits it for approval.
Along with the mayor, the Public Advocate and the Comptroller are citywide officials. The Public Advocate eases public relations with the government. The Public Advocate investigates complaints about city agencies. They mediate disputes between city agencies and citizens. The Public Advocate advises the mayor on community relations.
The Comptroller audits city agencies. They oversee the city’s budget. The Comptroller reviews city contracts. The Comptroller manages claims against the city. The Comptroller ensures transparency in wage rate-setting. The Comptroller enforces prevailing wage and living wage laws.
Legislative power in New York City is vested in the New York City Council. The New York State Constitution allows local governments to adopt local laws. The Council has 51 members. Districts are defined by geographic population boundaries. Each district has about 157000 people. Council members are elected every four years.
The Speaker of the Council is selected by the 51 Council members. The Speaker is often considered the second most powerful post in New York City’s government after the Mayor.
Bills passed by a simple majority are sent to the mayor. The mayor may sign them into law. If the mayor vetoes a bill the Council has 30 days to override the veto by a two-thirds majority vote. A local law is equivalent to a law enacted by the New York State Legislature. It is superior to older forms of municipal legislation. The codified local laws of New York City are in the New York City Administrative Code.
The Council has committees that oversee city government functions. Each council member sits on at least three committees. The standing committees meet at least once per month. The Speaker of the Council, the Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader are ex officio members of every committee. Now you know more about how North Administration is connected to the city.