How Tyrone Borough Government Works

Last Updated: June 5, 2026

Tyrone Is a “Home Rule” Borough

Most Pennsylvania boroughs are run under the statewide Borough Code, a one-size-fits-all law written in Harrisburg. Tyrone is different. In 1982 the voters adopted a Home Rule Charter (effective January 3, 1983), which means Tyrone writes most of its own rules about how the Borough is organized and operated.

Under Home Rule, the Borough “may exercise any power and may perform any function not denied by the Constitution of the United States, by the Constitution of Pennsylvania, by the General Assembly, or by this Charter” (Home Rule Charter, Article II). In other words, the Charter is Tyrone’s local constitution, and the Borough Code only fills in where the Charter and state law are silent.

The People You Elect

Tyrone is governed by a seven-member Borough Council plus a Mayor, all elected at large (Borough-wide, not by district) to four-year terms that are staggered so the whole body never turns over at once (Charter, Article III, § C-6 through C-10). Unlike many towns, in Tyrone the Mayor also serves as President of Council and presides over its meetings (Charter, Article VII).

Who Runs the Day-to-day Work

Council sets policy, but it does not run the Borough’s daily operations. That is the job of a professional Borough Manager, appointed by Council, who serves as the chief administrative officer — supervising every department, preparing the budget, and carrying out the laws Council passes (Charter, Article VIII). This structure is known as the Council–Manager form of government, and it is used by professionally managed communities across the country.

Under the Manager, the Borough’s work is divided into departments — Administration, Police, Highways, Water, and Waste Management — each headed by a director or superintendent (Administrative Code, Chapter 3, § 3-23). The Borough also retains a Solicitor (its lawyer) and an Engineer.

Three Different Jobs, One Government

It helps to think of Borough government as three roles working together:

• Borough Council — the legislative body. Council makes the rules (ordinances and resolutions), adopts the annual budget, and sets the tax rates.
• The Borough Manager and staff — the administration. They carry out Council’s decisions and deliver services day to day.
• The Mayor — presides over Council, is recognized as the head of Borough government, helps keep the peace, and holds certain emergency powers.

It Is Your Government — Here Is How to Take Part

By Charter, almost all Council business must happen in public. Meetings and deliberations are open (Charter, Article IV, § C-19), the agenda is posted in the Borough office at least 24 hours ahead, and residents have a guaranteed right to be heard on matters of concern (§ C-24). Council minutes and records are public documents (§ C-18). The simplest way to understand your Borough is to attend a meeting — held the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building.

Where to Start

In the Charter & Code: Home Rule Charter · Art. III, Borough Council · Art. VII, The Mayor · Chapter 3, Administration of Government. The full Tyrone Code is online at ecode360.com/TY1357.