Portrait of George Washington Borough of Washington, Warren County, New Jersey

Council – Manager Form of Government

(Faulkner Act)

NJSA:40:69A-81 et. seq.

Under the council-manager form of government, the elected governing body is responsible for establishing policy, passing local ordinances, voting appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the municipality. Under our form of government, the mayor performs primarily ceremonial duties and in Washington Borough, is an elected position by the voters.

The elected officials then appoint a city manager or administrator to oversee the daily operations of the government and implement the policies established by the governing body. The manager serves the governing body, often with an employment agreement or contract that specifies his or her duties and responsibilities. The Manager prepares budget, appoints and removes department heads, attends Council meetings with voice, but no vote.