Understanding Local Government in NYC - nyc.gov
Source: https://www.nyc.gov/main/your-government
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:28
Understanding Local Government in NYC - nyc.gov
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Understanding local government in NYC
Photo by Michael Appleton
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Overview
Mayor
Agencies
City Council
Comptroller
Public Advocate
Borough presidents
Community boards
Organizational chart
Contact NYC government
Overview
More than 8 million people live in the five boroughs, which makes NYC the biggest city in the country. In fact, more people live in NYC than live in most U.S. states!
NYC’s local government is also the largest of its kind. There are hundreds of city agencies and elected offices at many levels. The roles of all these people and organizations can be difficult to understand.
In this guide, you’ll find introductions to the different pieces of NYC’s local government and links to learn more about each of them.
Mayor
The mayor leads the government and oversees all city services. The mayor also proposes the city budget, signs bills into law, and appoints the leaders of many agencies and offices.
Go to Mayor's site
Zohran Mamdani, Mayor
Agencies
City agencies provide the services that power the five boroughs. There are over 100 agencies helping make NYC a great place to live, work, and visit.
View agency directory
City Council
There are 51 members on the New York City Council. Each member is elected by voters from their own district. The Council approves the city budget, holds public hearings, and makes local laws.
Go to City Council site
Photo by Digital Service Team
City Council Chamber
Comptroller
The comptroller is an independent official responsible for overseeing the city’s finances. The comptroller has the power to audit city agencies’ spending and prevent abuses in city contracts. The comptroller also manages public bonds and pension funds.
Go to Comptroller's site
Mark Levine, Comptroller
Public Advocate
The public advocate is a non-voting member of the City Council elected by citywide vote. The public advocate investigates New Yorkers' complaints about city services and recommends improvements.
Go to Public Advocate’s site
Jumaane Williams, Public Advocate
Borough presidents
Borough presidents work with the mayor on the city budget and advocate for their boroughs. They also help make decisions about land use and appoint community board members.
Bronx Borough President
Vanessa L. Gibson
Brooklyn Borough President
Antonio Reynoso
Manhattan Borough President
Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Queens Borough President
Donovan Richards
Staten Island Borough President
Vito Fossella
Community boards
There are 59 community boards in NYC, each representing one community district. Community boards focus on local issues and advocate for residents in their districts. They also help make decisions about the city budget, land use, and liquor licenses.
Learn about community boards
Organizational chart
The city organizational chart shows the relationship between the Mayor's Office and other parts of NYC government.
View organizational chart
Contact NYC government
Learn how to contact the government. You can also explore a directory of public officials to contact them.
Contact information
Agencies and officials directory
Skip to main content
Understanding local government in NYC
Photo by Michael Appleton
Jump to section
Overview
Mayor
Agencies
City Council
Comptroller
Public Advocate
Borough presidents
Community boards
Organizational chart
Contact NYC government
Overview
More than 8 million people live in the five boroughs, which makes NYC the biggest city in the country. In fact, more people live in NYC than live in most U.S. states!
NYC’s local government is also the largest of its kind. There are hundreds of city agencies and elected offices at many levels. The roles of all these people and organizations can be difficult to understand.
In this guide, you’ll find introductions to the different pieces of NYC’s local government and links to learn more about each of them.
Mayor
The mayor leads the government and oversees all city services. The mayor also proposes the city budget, signs bills into law, and appoints the leaders of many agencies and offices.
Go to Mayor's site
Zohran Mamdani, Mayor
Agencies
City agencies provide the services that power the five boroughs. There are over 100 agencies helping make NYC a great place to live, work, and visit.
View agency directory
City Council
There are 51 members on the New York City Council. Each member is elected by voters from their own district. The Council approves the city budget, holds public hearings, and makes local laws.
Go to City Council site
Photo by Digital Service Team
City Council Chamber
Comptroller
The comptroller is an independent official responsible for overseeing the city’s finances. The comptroller has the power to audit city agencies’ spending and prevent abuses in city contracts. The comptroller also manages public bonds and pension funds.
Go to Comptroller's site
Mark Levine, Comptroller
Public Advocate
The public advocate is a non-voting member of the City Council elected by citywide vote. The public advocate investigates New Yorkers' complaints about city services and recommends improvements.
Go to Public Advocate’s site
Jumaane Williams, Public Advocate
Borough presidents
Borough presidents work with the mayor on the city budget and advocate for their boroughs. They also help make decisions about land use and appoint community board members.
Bronx Borough President
Vanessa L. Gibson
Brooklyn Borough President
Antonio Reynoso
Manhattan Borough President
Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Queens Borough President
Donovan Richards
Staten Island Borough President
Vito Fossella
Community boards
There are 59 community boards in NYC, each representing one community district. Community boards focus on local issues and advocate for residents in their districts. They also help make decisions about the city budget, land use, and liquor licenses.
Learn about community boards
Organizational chart
The city organizational chart shows the relationship between the Mayor's Office and other parts of NYC government.
View organizational chart
Contact NYC government
Learn how to contact the government. You can also explore a directory of public officials to contact them.
Contact information
Agencies and officials directory