According to the Youngstown Home Rule Charter, the City of Youngstown’s Executive Branch is led by the Mayor of Youngstown who is elected on a nonpartisan ballot to a four-year term. The Mayor must be a qualified elector, at least 30 years old and a City resident for five years immediately preceding the election. The Mayor shall hold no other public office except that of a notary public. The Mayor may serve two complete, consecutive four-year terms and will be eligible for re-election after an intervening term. As the chief executive officer of the City, the Mayor’s duties include:
- Supervising City government administration
- Keeping the peace
- Ensuring city ordinances are enforced
- Recommending legislation to City Council
- Advising Council on the financial condition and needs of the community
- Preparing and submitting to Council any reports it requires
- Appointing and removing directors of all City departments, as well as members of City boards and commissions
- Representing the City’s interest with officials in Columbus and Washington, DC
The Mayor and Department heads shall be entitled to seats in Council but shall not be given voting privileges. The Mayor shall have the right to introduce ordinances and take part in the discussion of all matters coming before Council.
When the Mayor is absent from the City, or is unable for any reason to perform his duties, the President of City Council is the acting Mayor. The Youngstown Home Rule Charter requires that the Mayor’s Administrative Council, which consists of the Mayor and the heads of departments/divisions, meet at least once each month to discuss matters relating to the administration of City affairs and the improvement of methods and procedures in various departments.
The Mayor’s day to day activities focus on overseeing and coordinating the work of the City’s six administrative departments: Law, Finance, Public Works, Water & other public utilities, Police and Fire, as well as the Park and Recreation Commission and the City District Board of Health.