Understanding La Plata's Town Government: How It Works for You
By: Paul Guttenberg, Candidate for Town Council Ward 1
Have you ever wondered how La Plata’s town government is organized and functions? While talking with a friend recently we realized there may be a need to frame some conversations with more information about how La Plata’s government works. My hope is this information is useful in your conversations as we prepare to vote and gives you insights into where your experience may be impactful to our community.
La Plata Operates Under What's Known As A Strong Mayor-Council system.
The Strong Mayor-Council System: What Does That Mean?
Here is a quick rundown:
The Mayor:
Is the Chief Executive Officer, heading the administrative branch of the town government.
The Mayor is responsible for preparing the annual budget and has complete supervision over the financial administration of the town government.
Appoints department heads (with Council approval) and manages the town's day-to-day operations.
Reports on the state of the town and makes recommendations on policy and ordinances to improve administration of town functions.
The Town Council:
Think of the Town Council as our legislative branch. It has five members comprised of one elected resident from each of the four wards and the Mayor.
Considers and passes ordinances, approves the annual budget, approves contracts and makes policy decisions.
Receives policy and planning recommendations from the towns boards and commissions before making final decisions on policy and changes to town ordinances.
Can work with other governments (cities, counties, etc.) to share services or work together on projects of common concern.
While the Mayor holds significant authority, the Town Council plays a vital role in checks and balances, particularly in appointments and policy.
Key Features of La Plata’s Town Government:
Legislative Power: Vested in the Town Council, comprising the Mayor and four Council members, each representing a ward.
Open Meetings: Council meetings are public, and artifacts are available online ensuring transparency (unless closed according to Maryland law).
Ordinances: The Town Council passes ordinances for the town's well-being and safety of residents, with a structured process for introduction, review, and public posting.
Financial Oversight: The Town Council reviews and approves the annual budget.
Town Manager Option: La Plata has the option to hire a Town Manager, shifting certain executive powers in the Town Charter from the Mayor to the Town Manager.
Town Treasurer and Attorney: These roles provide financial and legal expertise to the town.
Primary Functions of the Town Council:
The Town Council's work is broad in scope, but here's a breakdown of their primary focuses:
Legislative Powers and Ordinances: Creating, updating and passing ordinances for the town's governance.
Budget Approval and Financial Oversight: Managing town funds responsibly.
Policy Making: Making decisions that shape La Plata's future.
Appointments and Oversight of Key Town Positions and Department Heads: Ensuring competent leadership in key positions within the towns organization.
Land Use and Planning: Receiving commission recommendations and making final decisions for proposed developments.
Reviewing and Approving Master Site Development Plans: Management of new development plans.
Personnel Management: Fairly maintaining an effective town workforce.
Ethics and Legal Compliance: Upholding public trust.
Committees, Commissions and Boards: The Backbone of Community Input
La Plata benefits from numerous commissions and boards that advise the Town Council. These groups play a crucial role in shaping La Plata's future.
Finance Committee: Maintains continuous expert surveillance over the town’s expenditures against the budget and makes Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) recommendations during annual budget planning cycles.
Planning Commission: Responsible for reviewing applications for building permits for multifamily residential, commercial, or industrial projects. Makes recommendations to the Town Council regarding applications.
Design Review Board: Reviews design elements within development proposals including building size, shape and materials and signage.
Board of Appeals: Hears and decides on matters granted to it by the Town Council by ordinance.
Ethics Commission: Interprets the ethics ordinance and provides advice to those subject to it. Hears complaints regarding alleged violations and in some cases takes enforcement action.
Parks and Recreation Commission: Advises the Town Council concerning immediate and long-range recreational programs and policies.
Beautification Commission: Recommends town beautification programs to the Town Council. Additionally street sign design recommendations are provided.
Historic Preservation Commission: Recommend areas within the town for designation as a landmark, site, structure, or zone of historic, archeological, or architectural significance.
Board of Supervisors of Elections: Conducts all municipal elections and recommends ward boundary redistricting when necessary.
Staying Informed and Involved:
Understanding our town government helps us see opportunities where our skills and experience can be useful in shaping La Plata well into the future.
By staying informed, we can work together to make La Plata an even better place to live.
Please plan to vote in the PRIMARY ELECTION for WARD II on March 17th and the GENERAL ELECTION on Tuesday May 6th.
Key Takeaways:
La Plata uses a Strong Mayor-Council System where the Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer.
The Town Council has a large amount of influence over decision making.
Numerous boards and commissions made up of residents advise the Town Council.
Link to La Plata’s Town Charter (Our Towns Constitution)
I hope you found this useful, and if you did please share it with others.
If you would like to receive other information like this from me directly to your e-mail without the need to be on social media sites free subscribe below.