VOTE411 Voter Guide

The responsibilities of a Burbank Village Councilperson are primarily legislative, focusing on passing ordinances and resolutions to manage village affairs. The council has control over the village s budget and oversees various municipal policies.Legislative and financial duties:Enacting legislation: Passing ordinances and resolutions to create or amend village law concerning services, public policy, and appropriations.Controlling the budget: Exercising budgetary control over village departments, adopting an annual balanced budget, and setting tax levies.Managing contracts: Approving projects, contracts, and other agreements the village enters into.Setting employee compensation: Establishing employment positions and setting the salaries of village employees.Administrative and oversight duties:Committee assignments: Participating in standing committees that investigate and study specific village issues and make recommendations to the full council.Serving on boards: A councilperson may be appointed to serve on village boards and commissions, such as the Planning Commission or Zoning Board.Confirming appointments: Confirming appointments made by the mayor.Ensuring proper administration: For a village like Burbank with an administrator, the council is responsible for ensuring the administrator capably manages village affairs. The administrator then makes policy recommendations to the council.Community engagement:Attending meetings: Regularly attending council meetings, which for Burbank are on the first Thursday of the month, and being available for occasional special meetings.Representing constituents: Responding to the needs and complaints of residents and acting as a representative for the community.Public engagement: Attending public hearings, such as those for the village budget, to hear resident input.