Borough President of Brooklyn

Borough President of Brooklyn
Post	Borough President
Body	Brooklyn
Incumbent	Antonio Reynoso
Incumbentsince	January 1, 2022
Department	Government of New York City
Style	Mister or Madam President
Seat	Brooklyn Borough Hall, Brooklyn Heights
Appointer	Elected by the citizens of Brooklyn
Termlength	Four years, renewable twice
Constituting instrument	New York City Charter
Formation	1898
First	Edward M. Grout
Salary	$160,000 (2022)
Website	[https://www.brooklyn-usa.org/ Official website]

Borough President of Brooklyn is an elected executive position within the Government of New York City, representing the borough of Brooklyn. The office, established with the Consolidation of New York City in 1898, serves as a primary advocate for the borough's needs before the Mayor of New York City, the New York City Council, and New York State agencies. While its administrative powers have been reduced since the 1990 New York City Charter revision, the borough president retains significant influence over land use, budgeting, and appointments, acting as a key ceremonial and community leader for the over 2.6 million residents of Kings County.

History

The office originated with the creation of Greater New York in 1898, which merged the City of Brooklyn with Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. The first holder, Edward M. Grout, previously served as the last Mayor of Brooklyn. For much of the 20th century, the position wielded considerable power, including a vote on the New York City Board of Estimate, which controlled the city's budget and land use; influential presidents like John F. Hylan and Abraham D. Beame later became Mayor of New York City. The 1989 United States Supreme Court decision in Board of Estimate of City of New York v. Morris declared the Board unconstitutional, leading to the 1990 charter revision that stripped the borough presidents of direct budgetary and land-use votes, reorienting the role toward advocacy and advisory functions.

Powers and duties

Primary responsibilities include reviewing and making recommendations on all land use applications, such as zoning changes and urban renewal projects, through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. The president appoints members to the New York City Planning Commission, New York City Community Boards, and the New York City Panel for Educational Policy. The office submits an annual capital and expense budget request to the Mayor of New York City and the New York City Council, advocates for borough interests with agencies like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the New York City Department of Education, and holds ceremonial duties such as issuing proclamations and presiding over events like the West Indian American Day Carnival.

List of borough presidents

Notable figures who have held the office include early political boss John F. Hylan; Abraham D. Beame, who later navigated the 1975 New York City fiscal crisis as mayor; and Howard Golden, who served for over two decades and championed development in Downtown Brooklyn. In the modern era, Marty Markowitz (2002–2013) was known for his prolific promotion of Brooklyn culture, followed by Eric Adams, who used the position as a springboard to become Mayor of New York City in 2022. The current president, Antonio Reynoso, a former New York City Council member, took office in 2022.

Election process

The borough president is elected in a citywide election for the borough every four years, coinciding with the cycle for Mayor of New York City and New York City Comptroller. Term limits, established by a 1993 referendum and modified by the New York City Council in 2008 and 2010, restrict officeholders to three consecutive terms. Candidates typically compete in partisan primary elections held by the Democratic Party, which dominates Brooklyn politics, with the winner advancing to the general election; the position is officially nonpartisan.

Office and staff

The office is headquartered at the historic Brooklyn Borough Hall, a National Historic Landmark in Brooklyn Heights designed by architects Gamaliel King and Joseph C. Wells. The staff, which includes deputies for policy, communications, and community affairs, operates on an annual budget allocated by the New York City Council. Key divisions often focus on areas like economic development, housing, and education, working closely with the 18 New York City Community Boards in Brooklyn and borough-based offices of city agencies.

Notable initiatives and impact

Presidents have launched significant borough-wide projects, such as Howard Golden's advocacy for the MetroTech Center and the revival of the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Marty Markowitz was instrumental in bringing major league sports back to Brooklyn with the Barclays Center and the New York Islanders, and he initiated the popular Brooklyn Flea markets. Recent efforts under Eric Adams focused on gun violence prevention and healthy eating initiatives, while Antonio Reynoso has prioritized citywide composting programs and equitable infrastructure investment. The office also plays a critical role in disaster response, as seen during Hurricane Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.

Category:Government of New York City Category:Brooklyn politics Category:Borough presidents of New York City