Top row, left to right: Ronald C. Rice, Luis A. Quintana, Ras J. Baraka, Darrin S. Sharif, Carlos M. Gonzalez
Bottom row, left to right: Augusto Amador, Donald M. Payne, Jr., Anibal Ramos, Jr., Mildred C. Crump

Newark’s Municipal Council exercises the legislative power of city government.

The Municipal Council enacts – by ordinance, resolution, or motion – the local laws that govern the people of our city and is responsible for approving the municipal budget, establishing financial controls, and setting the salaries of elected officials and top appointed administrators. It also may reduce or increase appropriations requested by the mayor.

In essence, the council decides "what" the city will do about any particular matter, and the mayor and cabinet members then decide "how" to do it.

The Municipal Council also renders advice and consent on the mayor's appointments and policy programs and may investigate, when necessary, any branch of municipal government. The council also authorizes a continuing audit by an outside firm of all city financial transactions.

As established by ordinance, regular public meetings of the Municipal Council are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. and the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Council Chamber in City Hall. Exceptions are made for national or religious holidays. During July and August, only one meeting is held each month.

A special meeting of the Municipal Council may be called by the council president or a majority of its members or by the mayor whenever an emergency requires immediate action.