About Phoenixville Borough Government
The Pennsylvania Borough Handbook
Election to the governing body of any Pennsylvania municipality
conveys a great deal of power and responsibility. This power is
granted by various laws and codes vesting certain corporate and
specific powers in council. Corporate powers legalize the action
of the municipality and provide elected officials authority
to act on behalf of the municipality.
The Borough Code enables council to function in the best
interest of the borough. Specific powers provide authority to
council to enact legislation covering governmental functions
such as health, fire, police protection, and taxation. Specific
powers granted to the borough are intended to provide council
with the capability needed to legislate for the benefit of the municipality & its citizens.
Council is empowered to make and adopt all ordinances, bylaws,
rules & regulations deemed necessary for the proper management
and control of the borough in order to maintain good government
and protect the safety and welfare of its citizens.
Borough Council is involved primarily in a legislative role.
They may also act in an administrative, executive or supervisory
role to a lesser extent. The legislative role is of primary importance because the actions taken by Council in deciding the laws governing
the borough will affect not only the people within the borough,
but those outside the borders as well.