VOTE411 Voter Guide

The responsibilities of a Doylestown Village councilperson are defined by the Village Charter.  The council is the legislative body, with all legislative power and the determination of all policy matters vested in its members.Legislative and policy-making duties:Enact laws and policy: Council members are responsible for creating, amending, and adopting ordinances and resolutions that determine local policy. This includes laws related to public services, land use regulations, traffic, zoning, and building codes.Create administrative structure: The council establishes the framework of village government by creating offices, departments, boards, and commissions. It also appoints the Municipal Administrator to manage daily operations and execute council policies.Fix compensation: The council sets the salaries and compensation for elected officials and village employees.Fiscal oversight: The council exercises budgetary control and policy over all municipal departments. It adopts the annual budget, makes appropriations, and can authorize the village to incur debt.The Doylestown Village Charter also grants the council the ability to create ordinances concerning:Regular and special meeting schedules.Procedures for providing public notice of ordinances, resolutions, and other official actions.Rules for public improvements, assessments, contracts, and bids.General regulations the council deems necessary.Separation of powers:The Doylestown Charter establishes a form of government with clear separation between the legislative and administrative functions. This structure limits a council member s direct involvement in day-to-day operations.The council deals with the administrative service solely through the Municipal Administrator.Council members may not direct or request the hiring or firing of any administrative personnel.The Municipal Administrator is responsible for enforcing laws and ordinances, managing divisions of government, and appointing most officers and employees.