Municipal Government and Elected Offices

All of the various municipal units of Pennsylvania share the same basic responsibilities with respect to the provision of public services at the local level and have similar statutory powers. Although cities have more specific powers than boroughs or townships, many of those powers may also be exercised by boroughs and townships under general grants of power. Home rule provides equal opportunity for all classes of municipalities to exercise new powers.

The main areas of local services may include police and fire protection, maintenance of local roads and streets, water supply, sewage collection and treatment, parking and traffic control, local planning and zoning, parks and recreation, garbage collection, health services, libraries, licensing of businesses and code enforcement.

All municipalities in Pennsylvania, rely on county and state organized courts for probate, criminal, and civil court services.

Local governments in Pennsylvania are separated into counties, boroughs, cities, and townships.
All Pennsylvanians live within two types of municipalities — a county and a municipal corporation — and pay taxes to them. State law determines that the “class” of a municipality depends on population.

Pennsylvania has nine classes of counties, four classes of cities, and two classes of townships. Boroughs all operate under Borough code and do not have separate classes. Generally, each class of municipality operates under its own code of laws, which determines its structure and powers. Although the state legislature determines the powers and organization of most municipalities under state municipal code, other options exist. Local governments that operate under a home rule charter or an optional plan have the power to determine their structure and the services they will perform.

Boroughs are not strictly classified by population and are administered through the Pennsylvania Borough Code, unless they have a home rule charter.

Elected Officials:
Mayor — relatively weak authority, who is primarily responsible for overseeing law enforcement, but can break a tie in the council.


Council — holds the majority power and can be made up of three, five, seven, or nine members. Slatington Borough has a mayor and seven council members; all are elected for a four-year term.
The council is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day delivery of municipal services.
Creating laws: Enacting, amending, repealing, and revising ordinances and resolutions 
Setting policies: Establishing policies for how the borough is run 
Approving budgets: Adopting the annual budget for the borough 
Appointing officials: Selecting the borough manager, other officials, and members of boards and commissions 
Protecting the public: Creating ordinances and resolutions to ensure the safety and welfare of the public 
Managing finances: Investing sinking funds, paying authorized expenses, and securing insurance 
Regulating businesses: Regulating the activities of businesses operating within the borough 
Overseeing services: Overseeing the day-to-day delivery of municipal services 
Maintaining good government:  Maintaining good government and protecting the safety and welfare of citizens 


Board of auditors, or controller, or appointed certified public accountant
Constable
Tax collector

Pennsylvania’s townships are separated into two classifications; by default a township is a second class township, but if it has at least 300 people per square mile, residents can vote the township into first class status. Both classes of township operate under the Township code.

Elected Officials:
Commissioners — First Class Townships have an board of between five and fifteen commissioners who can be elected either at large or by wards within the township; and they serve for overlapping terms of 4 years.

Supervisors — Second Class Townships are governed by a board of supervisors, elected at large by the electorate of the whole township for overlapping terms of 6 years. The number of supervisors can be increased to five by referendum.

Auditor — annually audits all township accounts (4-year term)
Constable — elected on the Municipal level, but they are “state constables.” (6-year term)
Tax Collector (4-year term)

Appointed positions:
The supervisors or commissioners of the township appoint:
Secretary and a treasurer
Township manager may be hired to coordinate township employees and operations
Planning Board, Zoning Board and Recreation Board all have appointed members

The main areas of local services may include police and fire protection, maintenance of local roads and streets, water supply, sewage collection and treatment, parking and traffic control, local planning and zoning, parks and recreation, garbage collection, health services, libraries, licensing of businesses and code enforcement.

The Lehigh Valley League of Women Voters has a listing of all Lehigh County Municipalities, that includes salaries or compensation for Mayors, Administrators, Managers, Supervisors, Commissioners and Council Members, as they pertain to each municipal entity. This information may not be up-to-date.

Commissioners’ salaries are set by ordinance, but cannot exceed $1,875 to $5,000 per year, depending on the township population.

See Auditor and Constable for pay information that is determined by the state.

Check individual municipalities for specific information.

Boroughs and townships are required by their codes to have an annual audit made by:
(1) three elected auditors, or
(2) an elected controller, or
(3) under certain circumstances, certified public accountants or public accountants who may be appointed to make the audit instead of or in addition to the elected auditors. The elected auditor system is used almost exclusively in smaller townships and boroughs.

An auditor reviews, adjusts and settles the accounts of the tax collectors, the magisterial district judge and all officers of the borough.

An auditor may audit, adjust and settle the accounts of any person, corporation, association, organization, committee or commission receiving or expending borough funds.

An auditor audits and reports the accounts of every officer of a borough, upon the death, resignation, removal or expiration of the term of the officer.

Auditor’s Pay:
*SB 740, the auditor pay raise bill, was signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro as Act 10 of 2024. Act 10 amended the Second Class Township Code to authorize the board of supervisors to increase the compensation for the elected auditors by resolution from $10 per hour to up to $18 per hour for performing the annual audit and the other duties of office and increased the permitted amount of total compensation. See Act 10 for full explanation of compensation for Auditors

Administrative tasks: such as approving expenditures and enforcing ordinances

Policymaking: develop and adopt policies for the township, including ordinances and resolutions 

Budgeting: create the township’s budget and establish tax rates 

Hiring: appoint department directors and other township staff 

Strategic planning: evaluate the township’s priorities and make decisions to shape its future 

Community representation: act as a liaison between the township and its citizens, addressing concerns and representing the township’s interests 

Constables are elected at the municipal level, however, State law governs Constables.
Constables have statewide authority, their title is “State Constable.”
Constables belong to the executive branch of state government.

Constables are empowered to enforce both criminal and civil laws.

Constables primarily serve the courts out the business of the
statewide Magisterial District Court System:
Serving warrants of arrest, mental health warrants
Transporting prisoners
Service of summons, complaints, subpoenas
Enforcing protection from abuse orders, orders of eviction and judgement levies

A Constable is a sworn Law Enforcement/Peace Officer who can arrest for felony crimes and breaches of the peace committed in his presence, or by warrant anywhere in the commonwealth.

Constables are also charged with maintaining order at the election polls and ensuring that no qualified elector is obstructed from voting.  Constables are the only law enforcement officials permitted at the polls on election day. 

Constables do not receive a set salary. They are paid only for each task performed for the District Court.

Fees charged by constables are set by state law.
Civil service fees are paid by the plaintiff at no cost to the taxpayer.
Summary warrant fees are paid for by the defendant, normally at no cost to the taxpayer.

Constables purchase all of their own equipment to perform their job. This includes uniforms, firearm, vehicles with safety devices, restraint devices, office supplies, vehicle and liability insurance and any other cost associated with the job. Taxpayers do not shoulder this burden and do not normally pay any hourly rate to the Constable. A $5.00 fee is added to defendants costs that go into a training fund administered by the state. That fund provides free training to all Constables at no cost to the taxpayer. Because Constables do not receive an hourly rate and operate on a piece rate basis, Constables must be ACTIVE in serving process to be successful and to provide good service to the Magisterial District Court.

(Police officers are empowered to enforce criminal and traffic laws.  A Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the County and is empowered to enforce criminal, civil, and traffic laws.)

Boroughs and townships are required by their codes to have an annual audit made by:
(1) three elected auditors, or
(2) an elected controller, or
(3) under certain circumstances, certified public accountants or public accountants who may be appointed to make the audit.

All of the boroughs and townships in Lehigh County have an elected auditor, none have an elected controller.

A borough controller manages the fiscal affairs of the borough by supervising and controlling the accounts of all departments, bureaus and officers of the borough authorized to collect, receive or disburse the public money or who are charged with the management or custody of the accounts. The controller examines, audits and settles all accounts in which the borough is concerned, files and publishes an annual report of the audit and publish an annual financial report. An controller may suggest plans to the council for the management and improvement of the borough finances.

The Tax Collector collects all county, township, school, institution district and other taxes levied within boroughs and townships by authorities authorized to levy taxes.

Lehigh County List of Tax Collectors Offices by Municipality (Lehigh County Website)

Map of all Lehigh County Municipalities with Tax Collector information
(Lehigh County Website)

Appointed Positions — Boards and Commissions

Planning commissions are advisors to the municipality’s board of supervisors or commissioners concerning the development of the community. They are responsible for preparing and monitoring the municipality’s 10-year comprehensive plan and providing policy advice on land use regulations. The plan includes recreation, open space, greenways, environmental protection, natural resources, agriculture, and forestry. The decision of a planning commission is a recommendation which is forwarded to the municipality supervisors or commissioners for a final decision.

Planning commissioners are appointed by the municipality’s elected commissioners or supervisors.

Planning commissions:

  • have three to nine members who are appointed by the governing body of the municipality (borough council, city council, township supervisors or commissioners)
  • must consist of more than half “citizen members” – not elected officials
  • have a solicitor and an engineer, who may be, but do not have to be, the same solicitor and engineer who work for the governing body
  • must be residents of the municipality

Additional information:
Penn State Extension Video “What it Means to be on a Citizen Planning Commission”

Penn State Extension Video “Duties and Responsibilities of a Citizen Planning Commission”
This video assists citizen planners better understand their roles and responsibilities in serving on a local municipal planning commission.

Penn State Extension Municipal Planning Commissions (PDF)

Penn State Extension Land Use Planning – Opportunities for Public Input (Article)

Reporter’s Guide to Pennsylvania Local Government pennreporter.wordpress.com

Pa Dept of Community and Economic Development Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Planning Code, Act of 1968, P.L.805, No.247 as reenacted and amended. Twenty Fourth Edition. February 2022 (PDF)

Pa General Assembly Act 247 ARTICLE II Planning Agencies

A Zoning Hearing Board reviews land use applications and appeals. The ZHB’s decisions are intended to ensure that zoning ordinances are applied fairly and equitably. 

The Zoning Hearing Board is appointed by the Board of Supervisors or Commissioners

Zoning Hearing Board members serve a set term, usually three years

Pa Department of Community and Economic Development Zoning Hearing Board Procedures (PDF)

Pa General Assembly Act 247 ARTICLE IX Zoning Hearing Board and other Administrative Proceedings The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) provides a specific set of rules that must be followed for applications submitted to the Zoning Hearing Board.





The Planning Board plans and monitors the “orderly” development of real estate in the municipality. The planning board advises.

The Zoning Board is in charge of governing the uses and specifications for a given piece of land, including farms, real estate, factories, etc. The Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) hears and renders decisions regarding specific types of land use actions. The Zoning Hearing Board functions like a court, although formal court procedures are not necessarily required.

Municipal Recreation Boards are advisory boards made up of volunteers or appointed members

Board members may serve for a set term.
Responsibilities may be:
Advise — Provide recommendations to the local governing body on recreation policy 
Identify needs — Assess the community’s needs for parks, trails, and recreation programs 
Plan and supervise — Plan and oversee recreation programs, events, and activities. 
Maintain — Oversee the maintenance of parks and open spaces
 
Recreation Boards in the ULDC area::
Slatington and Washington Township — combined Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority
North Whitehall Recreation Board
Northwestern Recreation Commission — combined Heidelberg, Lowhill, Lynn, Weisenberg Townships,
Northwestern Lehigh School District
South Whitehall Parks and Recreation Board

PA Title 8 § 2708.  Recreation board or other authority.





Resources and Local Government Associations

ULDC Your Government — Municipalities Information about the municipalities in the Upper Lehigh Democratic Club area including maps, precincts, government divisions and elected officers, and contact information.

Lehigh County League of Women Voters Government Directory
Pennsylvania Municipal League nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing participating Pennsylvania cities, boroughs, townships and home rule communities that all share The League’s municipal policy interests. 
Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) PA Department of Community & Economic Development
Citizen’s Guide to Pennsylvania Local Government publication of the PA Department of Community & Economic Development (PDF Download)
Reporters Guide to Pennsylvania Local Government pennreporter.wordpress.com
Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors PSATS offers its members exclusive access to training, resources, and events via the member portal at PSATS.org. PSATS Legislative Priorities

PENN STATE ONLINE COURSE Getting Involved in Your Pennsylvania Local Government Learn how local government in Pennsylvania works, explore ways to become involved, and gain the tools needed to run for office. 3-Hour online course, with certificate of completion. Group rates available. Course is always available. Cost $51.75

Additional Reading

Xian, M. & Kines H. “How Local Government Works: How does municipal planning work in your community?” Spotlight Pa. (2023, July 27)
Xian, M. & Kines H. “Pa. voters play little role in choosing who fills vacant municipal offices.” Spotlight Pa. (2023, Dec. 21)

Sources: PA Department of Community & Economic Development’s Citizen’s Guide to Pennsylvania Local Government and Local Government Laws in Pennsylvania; Lehigh County League of Women Voters’ Municipality Directory; Lehigh County LWV Local Elected Office Job Descriptions; LCDC Local Government Primer for Lehigh County