Government of New York City
The government of New York City is organized under the City Charter and provides for a “strong” mayor-council system. The government of New York is more centralized than that of most other U.S. cities, with the city government being responsible for public education, correctional institutions, libraries, public safety, recreational facilities, sanitation, water supply, and welfare services. The mayor is elected to a four year term and is responsible for the administration of city government. The New York City Council is a unicameral body consisting of 51 Council members whose districts are defined by geographic population boundaries. Members of the City Council are normally elected to four year terms. New York City’s political geography is unusual. It is made up of five boroughs, each coterminous with one of five counties of New York State. Manhattan is New York County, Queens is Queens County, Brooklyn is Kings County, The Bronx is Bronx County and Staten Island is Richmond County.
