How does local government work?
Lebanon is a “Home Charter” city with a Strong Mayor-Council form of government. “Home Charter” means that we can change how the power structure between the Mayor and City Council works without state permission. Strong Mayor-Council refers to our two branches of government. For comparison, on the national level, we have three branches of government: the Legislative (Congress), the Judicial (Supreme Court), and the Executive (President). The local level is like the national. We have the Executive (Mayor) and Legislative (City Council) branches, with City Council working as the Congress of the local level. Like Congress, City Council is responsible for introducing, reviewing, and voting on laws and budgets for the City. The Mayor oversees the operation, including the focus and direction, of all City departments. The Mayor also appoints many department officials without needing Council approval in a “Strong Mayor” system. The Mayor’s influence over City departments ultimately guides the policy the City Council reviews. The Mayor helps propose each meeting’s agenda and presents the majority of the ordinances that the council reviews.
The City Council usually meets twice per month: the 3rd Thursday at 4:45 PM for a “Pre-City Council Meeting” and the 4th Monday at 6:30 PM for the “City Council Meeting.” These dates may change if there is a holiday. They may also add extra “Special City Council Meetings” when the Council needs to pass something through more quickly. The City Council also meets for “Budget Hearings” at the end of the year to review the following year’s budget. All Lebanon City Council meetings are open to public observation in room 210 of the Municipal Building. Persons wishing to address the City Council must submit a request in writing a week before. http://www.lebanonpa.org/CityCouncil
For local laws (called Bills or Ordinances) to pass, the Council votes twice – when the new law is introduced (Introduction) and then again on Final Reading. The process generally spans two months, which gives time for questions, comments, and change—however, special meetings may be called to pass things more quickly.
Questions or concerns? Please reach out!
Author: Alisher Aminov
