Getting Up and Running with Municipal
Government
Presented by Julia O’Hanlon
and Doug Tuttle
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
October 26, 2009
INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION • COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & PUBLIC POLICY
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Hit the Ground Running!
To hit the ground running, understand:
 Your form of
government
 The legal basis of
government
 The business of
government
 Key roles and
responsibilities
INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION • COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & PUBLIC POLICY
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1. What’s Your Form of
Municipal Government?
• Council-Manager
• Mayor-Council
• President and Commission
• Town Meeting
(Arden, Ardencroft, Ardentown)
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2. What’s the Legal Basis of
Municipal Government?
• Charters
– Establishes legal basis of city or town
– Authorized by DE General Assembly
• Town’s/City’s Code of Ordinances
– Deal with procedural and administrative
matters of government
– Issues, such as taxes and zoning
classifications, that are likely to change
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3. What is the Business of Local
Government?
Mission:
Business Philosophy:
• Provide quality and
cost-effective
services
• Treat citizens like
customers
• Traditional services
• Obtain feedback to
improve quality of
services
• Commercial
services
• Maximize service
efficiencies
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What Services Are Provided?
Traditional Services
• Public Works
• Police Protection
• Utilities
– Water / Waste Water
– Electric Distribution
New Expectations
• Economic
Development
• Emergency
Management
• Walkability
• Parks and Recreation
• Smart Growth
• Code Enforcement
• Sustainability
• Planning
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4. Understand Key Roles and
Responsibilities
• Elected Officials
• Non-Elected
Traditionally, elected officials develop policy.
Non-elected officials implement and
administer policy.
INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION • COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & PUBLIC POLICY
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Mayor and Council
• What are the Mayor’s official duties?
• How are the Mayor’s duties different from
Council’s?
• Council serves as the legislative body.
– Make policies
– Exerts political leadership
– Represent overall interests of citizens/constituents
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Non-Elected Officials
1. Town/City Manager
2. Town/City Solicitor
3. Town/City Clerk
4. Department Heads and Staff
5. Authority, Board, Committee (ABCs)
Members
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What Documents Should I Review?
• Town/City Charter
• Annual Audit
• Code of Ordinances
• Personnel Policies
• Annual Budget
• Code of Ethics
• Minutes from
Previous Council
Meetings
• Recent or Proposed
Legislation
impacting
Municipalities
• Comprehensive
Plan
• Strategic Plan
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Critical Documents
• Municipal Budget / CIP
• Municipal Comprehensive Plan
• Land Use Plans and Ordinances
INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION • COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & PUBLIC POLICY
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Municipal Budget / CIP
What is a Budget?
• An action plan
• A financial plan
• A policy statement
• A planning document
• A communication tool
What is a CIP?
• Capital Improvement Plan
INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION • COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & PUBLIC POLICY
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Key Questions to Ask – Budget
When do we receive
financial reports? When
does the fiscal year
begin?
What is the trend of
revenues &
expenditures?
Who is responsible for
preparing the budget/CIP?
What are the deadlines
for adoption?
How are emergency
appropriations handled?
How often are audits
conducted? By Whom?
Under what conditions
can $$ be borrowed for
capital projects? Limits?
Who is responsible for
financial controls?
How often are properties
reassessed for property
taxes?
What properties or
owners are exempt from
property tax?
What services can be
funded by special
assessments?
Can Council raise taxes
without a referendum?
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When does the process
begin?
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Municipal Comprehensive Plan
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
• A policy statement
• A long-range plan
• A public document
• A continuing process
The comprehensive plan process drives the
whole planning process.
INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION • COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & PUBLIC POLICY
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Land-Use Plans and Ordinances
Land-Use Plan
• Policy document
• Element of the
Comprehensive Plan
• Long-range plan of land use
• Includes text & maps
• Serves as a guide for locating
boundaries of districts on
zoning map
INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION • COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & PUBLIC POLICY
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Regulatory Tools
Zoning Ordinance
Subdivision Regulations
• Includes text and map of
land-use districts
• Prescribes procedures for a
developer to plan and build a
new subdivision
• Details what kind of
development will be allowed
• Subject to approval by Council
as recommended by Planning
• Must be consistent with landCommission
use element of the Comp.
Plan
• Construction standards are
prescribed by codes, officially
• Subject to approval by
adopted by Council
Council, as recommended
by Planning Commission
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Land Use and Zoning Linkage
Land-Use Plan
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Zoning Map
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How Can Elected Officials Become
More Effective?
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Adopt “Ten Habits of Highly
Effective Councils”
 Think and act
strategically.
 Evaluate policy
implementation.
 Demonstrate teamwork!
 Allocate council time
appropriately.
 Master small-group
decision-making.
 Define roles and
relationships.
 Establish a good
council-staff
partnership.
 Establish rules/
procedures for meetings.
 Response to public’s
concerns.
 Strive for professional and
leadership development.
INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION • COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & PUBLIC POLICY
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INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION • COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & PUBLIC POLICY
WWW.IPA.UDEL.EDU
INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION • COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & PUBLIC POLICY
WWW.IPA.UDEL.EDU
Spring 2010 Planning Education
Calendar
• Jan. 20 – Planning Your Community’s Future
• Feb. 18 – You Can Manage Growth:
The Planning Toolbox
• Mar. 23 – Land Development Administration
• Apr. 21 – Community Design
• May 11 – Mobility-Friendly Design:
The Benefits of a Healthy, Walkable Community
• June 10 – Board of Adjustment Issues
INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION • COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & PUBLIC POLICY
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