Belle Haven

Belle Haven is the national capital, largest city and the financial seat of the Commonwealth of Baker Park.
Nearly 10% of the population of the Commonwealth live within the areas that include the incorporated City and the adjoining Belle Haven County, usually referred to as "Metro Belle Haven" or "Capital Area".

Governance

Belle Haven was the first municipality in the Commonwealth to be designated as a city under the definitions laid out in the Commonwealth of Baker Park Act (1892) [as amended]. It received a charter from Parliament upon passage of the Corporation of the City of Belle Haven Act (1893) [as amended] (Public Law 1-1-16) which provided for a Corporation Board, consisting of three individuals chosen by the State Assembly to oversee the financial affairs of the city; an elected Council; and a Mayor elected separately from the rest of the council.

The Corporation Board is solely responsible for all revenue & spending, with the Chairman directing the functions of the other two officers: the Secretary, in charge of expenditure, and the Bailiff, who collects revenue.

The Mayor and Council appoint the heads of the departments for the city: Public Safety (police/fire/emergency), Public Works (roads/sanitation/health). and Public Utilities (water/power/sewer). The top official of other offices are filled by civil servants--Law, Zoning & Planning, Parks & Recreation, Personnel, Permits & Inspections, Transit.