Government

Current Structure: Town Manager-Town Commission

The Town of Hillsboro Beach  currently operates under the "Town Manager - Town Commission" form of government, which is the most common form of local government in Florida today.

Town Manager

The Town Manager is appointed by the Town Commission to serve as the administrative head of the municipal government and to provide recommendations to the Town Commission on policy issues. He or she is responsible for the daily activities of the municipal government and is charged with carrying out the policies established by the Town Commission. The Town Manager supervises and coordinates the various departments throughout the Town: prepares the budget for the Commission's consideration; and makes reports and recommendations to the Town Commission. The Town Commission also appoints the Town Attorney.

Town Commission

The Town Commission is elected by the residents of Hillsboro Beach, and is comprised of four members and the Mayor. The Town Commission sets the policies of the Town through the budgetary process and enactment of ordinances and resolutions.

Mayor

The Mayor serves as the president of the Town Commission and presides over all meetings of the Commission. The Mayor is the recognized head of Town government for all ceremonial purposes, for service of process, and is the Town Official designated to represent the Town in all dealings with other governmental entities. The Mayor also executes, with approval of the Town Commission as provided by law, all ordinances and resolutions.

The Town Commission annually selects from among its members a Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Treasurer for a term of one year. In the event of an absence or disability of the Mayor, the Vice-Mayor signs City legislation, chairs Town Commission meetings, and undertakes all other duties of the Mayor.

Prior Structure: Strong Mayor - Town Commission Government

Until March 16, 2016, the City was governed by a "Strong Mayor-Town Commission" form of government. Under this form of government, the Mayor served as the Chief Administrative Officer, supervising the day-to-day activities, and was responsible for carrying out the policies established by the Town Commission. All department heads were appointed by, and reported directly to the Mayor. The Town Commission, through the budgetary process and enactment of legislation, functioned as the policy-making body.

Transition to Current Structure

After many months of study and preparation, the question of the proposed "Town Manager - Town Commission" form of government was put to a referendum and approved by the electorate of Hillsboro Beach on March 15, 2016

The transition in the form of government took place at 12:01 a.m. on March 16, 2016 the day following the municipal election.