How We Work?

The City of Bridgeton is governed by the Faulkner Act system of municipal government under "Mayor-Council Plan A", as implemented on July 1, 1970, based on the recommendations of a Charter Study Commission. Under this structure, voters elect a Mayor and five City Council members. In Bridgeton, Council members are elected "at-large" in non-partisan elections and serve four-year concurrent terms. The Council elects one of its own members to serve as Council President

As the chief executive of the city, the Mayor exercises executive power of the municipality and appoints department heads with Council approval. The Mayor may remove department heads subject to Council disapproval by ⅔ of all members and prepares the budget. The Mayor also has a veto over ordinances subject to override by ⅔ of all members of the Council.

The Mayor exercises executive power in the municipality. Up to 10 departments may be created under the Mayor's direction. A Business Administrator assists the Mayor in budget preparation and administers municipal purchasing and personnel matters. By ordinance, the Business Administrator may supervise the administration of departments, subject to the Mayor's direction.

In the day-to-day operations of the municipality, the Mayor is supported by the Business Administrator and various department and division heads overseeing a number of departments. Beyond the daily framework of the City government itself, other portions of the people's business are carried out through several boards, commissions, and committees appointed by the mayor and/or City Council; all of which are subject to public notice and public meeting requirements governing these decision-making bodies.