1.1.1– Approving Authority/Policy Body
Standard: The agency organizational structure shall provide for one public entity responsible for policy-making functions. This entity usually has taxing power and must approve the budget; it holds title to property. It also serves an important function in providing input to improve and expand park and recreation programs, services, and facilities.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide a chart or diagram and narrative description of the organizational structure, interrelationship of organizational components and powers of authority over policy-making; show the relationship of the agency to its approving authority and provide the approving authority bylaws or charter.
COMMENT: Need: Would like more description on the relationship of the agency to the County.
RESPONSE: The Legislators comprise seventeen members who are elected to two year terms and represent an equal number of people across the county. The number is adjusted every ten years after the federal census to maintain the balance of power. The Board of Legislators is the law making branch of county government. It allocates money to operate county programs and it sets policies. It has taxing power and is responsible for adopting the County budget. It has oversight of the executive branch.
Part I Chapter 107, Sec107.01 Outlines general Powers of the board of legislators, page 1 of 1.1.1 EOC 1R and Sec 107.21 outlines the Specific powers and responsibilities of the County Board page 2 of 1.1.1 EOC 1R.
The Westchester County Organizational Chart, which demonstrates the authority structure of County government and the relationships of each branch and department within that structure found in 1.1.1 EOC 2R/a
The chart demonstrates the County Board in relation to the voters in Blue. The Green and yellow demonstrates the relationship of the County Executive to the Board and our relationship to county Executive.
Narrative:
The Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) was created in 1970 as a public entity responsible for policy-making functions including having taxing power and budget approval for the County as outlined in the Charter of Westchester County, New York, Chapter 107.