Government

Government Directory

Who currently holds elected office across the greater West Chester area. This directory covers every government entity that serves local residents — the school board, the Borough, the seven surrounding townships, and county government in both Chester and Delaware counties. We keep it current as officials change.

Last verified: September 2026Notice an error? Contact us at hello@westchesterbythenumbers.com
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WCASD Board of Education

Nine elected directors serving four-year terms across three voting regions.

wcasd.net/school-board/meet-the-board ↗

Board President (School Board)

Elected by fellow board members to preside over meetings, coordinate the agenda with the Superintendent, and serve as the board's primary spokesperson. Has no additional vote or authority beyond their role as a director.

Key decisions: same as Director, plus setting meeting agendas and representing the board publicly.

School Board Director

One of nine elected members of the WCASD Board of Directors, representing one of three voting regions. Individual directors have no authority outside of board votes — all decisions are made collectively. The board sets school district policy, approves the annual budget, hires and evaluates the Superintendent, negotiates employee contracts, and approves curriculum.

Key decisions: annual budget, tax millage rate, hiring and evaluating the Superintendent, employee contracts, curriculum, facilities, and school closures or openings.

Borough of West Chester

Seven elected council members (one per ward) plus an elected Mayor, serving four-year staggered terms.

west-chester.com/227 ↗

Mayor (Borough of West Chester)

The Borough's chief executive and the only elected official with direct authority over the Police Department. The Mayor directs the Police Chief, presides over Borough Council meetings, and serves as the public face of Borough government. The Mayor does not vote on Borough Council legislation.

Key decisions: police department direction and oversight, casting tie-breaking votes in limited circumstances, signing or vetoing ordinances.

Borough Council Member

One of seven elected representatives, each representing one of the Borough's seven geographic wards. As a body, Borough Council sets municipal policy, approves the budget, levies taxes, enacts ordinances, and appoints the Borough Manager who oversees all departments except police.

Key decisions: annual budget, tax millage rate, local ordinances, zoning decisions, hiring the Borough Manager, contracts and vendor agreements.

East Goshen Township

Five elected supervisors serving six-year staggered terms.

eastgoshen.org ↗

Board of Supervisors

The elected governing body of a township. Supervisors set local policy, approve the annual budget, levy taxes, hire the Township Manager, and make decisions on zoning, land use, roads, and public services. The board elects a chair and vice chair from among its members each year.

Key decisions: annual budget, tax millage rate, zoning ordinances, land development approvals, hiring the Township Manager, contracts and vendor agreements.

Tax Collector

An elected official responsible for collecting real estate taxes on behalf of the municipality and school district. The Tax Collector sends tax bills, receives payments, enforces collections on delinquent accounts, and remits funds to the appropriate taxing bodies.

Key decisions: collection procedures, payment plans for delinquent taxpayers, referral of delinquent accounts for legal action.

Board of Auditors

An independently elected board responsible for auditing the township's financial records each year. Auditors review township accounts, verify expenditures, and certify that public funds were spent appropriately. They operate independently of the Board of Supervisors. Note: some townships use hired accounting firms instead of elected auditors — check with your township.

Key decisions: approval or rejection of the township's annual financial audit, flagging discrepancies or irregularities in township spending.

West Goshen Township

Five elected supervisors.

westgoshen.org ↗

Board of Supervisors

The elected governing body of a township. Supervisors set local policy, approve the annual budget, levy taxes, hire the Township Manager, and make decisions on zoning, land use, roads, and public services. The board elects a chair and vice chair from among its members each year.

Key decisions: annual budget, tax millage rate, zoning ordinances, land development approvals, hiring the Township Manager, contracts and vendor agreements.

Tax Collector

An elected official responsible for collecting real estate taxes on behalf of the municipality and school district. The Tax Collector sends tax bills, receives payments, enforces collections on delinquent accounts, and remits funds to the appropriate taxing bodies.

Key decisions: collection procedures, payment plans for delinquent taxpayers, referral of delinquent accounts for legal action.

Board of Auditors

An independently elected board responsible for auditing the township's financial records each year. Auditors review township accounts, verify expenditures, and certify that public funds were spent appropriately. They operate independently of the Board of Supervisors. Note: some townships use hired accounting firms instead of elected auditors — check with your township.

Key decisions: approval or rejection of the township's annual financial audit, flagging discrepancies or irregularities in township spending.

East Bradford Township

Three elected supervisors serving six-year staggered terms.

eastbradford.org ↗

Board of Supervisors

The elected governing body of a township. Supervisors set local policy, approve the annual budget, levy taxes, hire the Township Manager, and make decisions on zoning, land use, roads, and public services. The board elects a chair and vice chair from among its members each year.

Key decisions: annual budget, tax millage rate, zoning ordinances, land development approvals, hiring the Township Manager, contracts and vendor agreements.

Tax Collector

An elected official responsible for collecting real estate taxes on behalf of the municipality and school district. The Tax Collector sends tax bills, receives payments, enforces collections on delinquent accounts, and remits funds to the appropriate taxing bodies.

Key decisions: collection procedures, payment plans for delinquent taxpayers, referral of delinquent accounts for legal action.

Board of Auditors

An independently elected board responsible for auditing the township's financial records each year. Auditors review township accounts, verify expenditures, and certify that public funds were spent appropriately. They operate independently of the Board of Supervisors. Note: some townships use hired accounting firms instead of elected auditors — check with your township.

Key decisions: approval or rejection of the township's annual financial audit, flagging discrepancies or irregularities in township spending.

West Whiteland Township

Three elected supervisors serving six-year staggered terms.

westwhiteland.org ↗

Board of Supervisors

The elected governing body of a township. Supervisors set local policy, approve the annual budget, levy taxes, hire the Township Manager, and make decisions on zoning, land use, roads, and public services. The board elects a chair and vice chair from among its members each year.

Key decisions: annual budget, tax millage rate, zoning ordinances, land development approvals, hiring the Township Manager, contracts and vendor agreements.

Tax Collector

An elected official responsible for collecting real estate taxes on behalf of the municipality and school district. The Tax Collector sends tax bills, receives payments, enforces collections on delinquent accounts, and remits funds to the appropriate taxing bodies.

Key decisions: collection procedures, payment plans for delinquent taxpayers, referral of delinquent accounts for legal action.

Board of Auditors

An independently elected board responsible for auditing the township's financial records each year. Auditors review township accounts, verify expenditures, and certify that public funds were spent appropriately. They operate independently of the Board of Supervisors. Note: some townships use hired accounting firms instead of elected auditors — check with your township.

Key decisions: approval or rejection of the township's annual financial audit, flagging discrepancies or irregularities in township spending.

Westtown Township

Three elected supervisors.

westtownpa.org ↗

Board of Supervisors

The elected governing body of a township. Supervisors set local policy, approve the annual budget, levy taxes, hire the Township Manager, and make decisions on zoning, land use, roads, and public services. The board elects a chair and vice chair from among its members each year.

Key decisions: annual budget, tax millage rate, zoning ordinances, land development approvals, hiring the Township Manager, contracts and vendor agreements.

Tax Collector

An elected official responsible for collecting real estate taxes on behalf of the municipality and school district. The Tax Collector sends tax bills, receives payments, enforces collections on delinquent accounts, and remits funds to the appropriate taxing bodies.

Key decisions: collection procedures, payment plans for delinquent taxpayers, referral of delinquent accounts for legal action.

Board of Auditors

An independently elected board responsible for auditing the township's financial records each year. Auditors review township accounts, verify expenditures, and certify that public funds were spent appropriately. They operate independently of the Board of Supervisors. Note: some townships use hired accounting firms instead of elected auditors — check with your township.

Key decisions: approval or rejection of the township's annual financial audit, flagging discrepancies or irregularities in township spending.

  • Jim HanakAuditor
    TermNot confirmed
    Voting record →
  • Not confirmedVerify ↗Auditor (seat 2)
    ⓘ

    To verify, contact Westtown Township at westtownpa.org

  • Not confirmedVerify ↗Auditor (seat 3)
    ⓘ

    To verify, contact Westtown Township at westtownpa.org

Thornbury Township (Chester Co.)

Five elected supervisors.

thornburytwp.com ↗

Board of Supervisors

The elected governing body of a township. Supervisors set local policy, approve the annual budget, levy taxes, hire the Township Manager, and make decisions on zoning, land use, roads, and public services. The board elects a chair and vice chair from among its members each year.

Key decisions: annual budget, tax millage rate, zoning ordinances, land development approvals, hiring the Township Manager, contracts and vendor agreements.

Tax Collector

An elected official responsible for collecting real estate taxes on behalf of the municipality and school district. The Tax Collector sends tax bills, receives payments, enforces collections on delinquent accounts, and remits funds to the appropriate taxing bodies.

Key decisions: collection procedures, payment plans for delinquent taxpayers, referral of delinquent accounts for legal action.

Board of Auditors

An independently elected board responsible for auditing the township's financial records each year. Auditors review township accounts, verify expenditures, and certify that public funds were spent appropriately. They operate independently of the Board of Supervisors. Note: some townships use hired accounting firms instead of elected auditors — check with your township.

Key decisions: approval or rejection of the township's annual financial audit, flagging discrepancies or irregularities in township spending.

Thornbury Township (Delaware Co.)

Three elected supervisors.

This township levies no municipal property tax.

thornbury.org ↗

Board of Supervisors

The elected governing body of a township. Supervisors set local policy, approve the annual budget, levy taxes, hire the Township Manager, and make decisions on zoning, land use, roads, and public services. The board elects a chair and vice chair from among its members each year.

Key decisions: annual budget, tax millage rate, zoning ordinances, land development approvals, hiring the Township Manager, contracts and vendor agreements.

Tax Collector

An elected official responsible for collecting real estate taxes on behalf of the municipality and school district. The Tax Collector sends tax bills, receives payments, enforces collections on delinquent accounts, and remits funds to the appropriate taxing bodies.

Key decisions: collection procedures, payment plans for delinquent taxpayers, referral of delinquent accounts for legal action.

Board of Auditors

An independently elected board responsible for auditing the township's financial records each year. Auditors review township accounts, verify expenditures, and certify that public funds were spent appropriately. They operate independently of the Board of Supervisors. Note: some townships use hired accounting firms instead of elected auditors — check with your township.

Key decisions: approval or rejection of the township's annual financial audit, flagging discrepancies or irregularities in township spending.

Chester County

Governed by an elected three-member Board of Commissioners plus nine elected row offices.

chesco.org ↗

County Commissioner (Chester County)

One of three elected members of Chester County's chief governing body. Commissioners set county policy, approve the county budget, manage county departments, and appoint members of county authorities and boards. Two of three votes are required to act.

Key decisions: county budget, county tax millage rate, appointments to county boards and authorities, county contracts and major capital projects.

District Attorney

The county's chief law enforcement officer and prosecutor. Elected countywide. Decides which criminal cases to prosecute, oversees the DA's office and staff, and sets prosecution policies. Operates independently of local police and county commissioners.

Key decisions: which cases to prosecute or decline, plea agreements, diversion programs, prosecution priorities, office staffing and budget.

Sheriff

An officer of the county courts responsible for keeping the peace, serving civil court orders and subpoenas, transporting prisoners, and providing security in courthouses. Also operates the county jail. Does not handle day-to-day local policing.

Key decisions: jail operations and policy, court security staffing, civil process service prioritization.

Controller

The county's independently elected fiscal watchdog. Audits county finances, reviews expenditures, and ensures financial accountability across all county departments. Reports findings publicly and operates independently of the commissioners.

Key decisions: scope and findings of county audits, public reporting of financial irregularities, recommendations for improved financial controls.

Treasurer

The custodian of all county funds. Receives and manages tax payments, grants, and other county revenues. Invests county funds and ensures they are available when needed.

Key decisions: investment of county funds, cash management strategy, banking relationships.

Coroner

Investigates deaths occurring in the county to determine cause and manner of death. Certifies death certificates and serves as an independent check in cases of suspicious or unattended deaths. Operates independently of law enforcement.

Key decisions: whether to investigate a death, determination of cause and manner of death, referral of suspicious deaths to law enforcement.

Recorder of Deeds

Records and maintains real estate documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens for all properties in the county. Serves as the official keeper of property ownership records.

Key decisions: recording standards and procedures, document retention policies, fee schedules within state guidelines.

Register of Wills

Probates wills, appoints estate representatives, and maintains estate records for people who die in the county. Also issues marriage licenses and serves as Clerk of the Orphans' Court.

Key decisions: acceptance or rejection of wills for probate, appointment of estate administrators, marriage license issuance.

Clerk of Courts

Maintains all criminal court records, processes criminal filings, and manages the administrative functions of the criminal court system. Serves as the official record-keeper for criminal proceedings.

Key decisions: records management standards, criminal filing procedures, court document access and fees.

Prothonotary

The civil equivalent of the Clerk of Courts. Maintains all civil court records, processes civil filings, issues writs, and manages the administrative functions of the civil court system.

Key decisions: civil records management, filing procedures, document access and fees.

Court of Common Pleas Judge

A countywide elected judge serving a ten-year term. Hears civil, criminal, family, and orphans court cases. Common Pleas judges are the primary trial court judges in Pennsylvania's unified judicial system.

Key decisions: verdicts and sentences in criminal cases, outcomes in civil disputes, family court matters including custody and divorce, orphans court matters including estates.

Chester County does not publish term expiration dates for sitting judges. For full judicial information visit chesco.org/184/Judges.

Magisterial District Judge (MDJ)

An elected judge serving a specific district within the county on a six-year term. Handles minor civil disputes, landlord-tenant cases, small claims, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings in criminal cases. MDJs are often the first point of contact with the court system for most residents.

Key decisions: bail in criminal cases, outcomes in minor civil and traffic matters, whether criminal cases proceed to Common Pleas Court.

Delaware County

Governed by an elected five-member County Council plus elected row offices. Relevant for Thornbury Township (Delaware Co.) residents.

Delaware County does not have elected Coroner, Clerk of Courts, or Prothonotary positions. The county uses an appointed Chief Medical Examiner and a consolidated Office of Judicial Support for these functions.

delcopa.gov ↗

County Council Member

District Attorney

The county's chief law enforcement officer and prosecutor. Elected countywide. Decides which criminal cases to prosecute, oversees the DA's office and staff, and sets prosecution policies. Operates independently of local police and county commissioners.

Key decisions: which cases to prosecute or decline, plea agreements, diversion programs, prosecution priorities, office staffing and budget.

Sheriff

An officer of the county courts responsible for keeping the peace, serving civil court orders and subpoenas, transporting prisoners, and providing security in courthouses. Also operates the county jail. Does not handle day-to-day local policing.

Key decisions: jail operations and policy, court security staffing, civil process service prioritization.

Controller

The county's independently elected fiscal watchdog. Audits county finances, reviews expenditures, and ensures financial accountability across all county departments. Reports findings publicly and operates independently of the commissioners.

Key decisions: scope and findings of county audits, public reporting of financial irregularities, recommendations for improved financial controls.

Treasurer

The custodian of all county funds. Receives and manages tax payments, grants, and other county revenues. Invests county funds and ensures they are available when needed.

Key decisions: investment of county funds, cash management strategy, banking relationships.

Recorder of Deeds

Records and maintains real estate documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens for all properties in the county. Serves as the official keeper of property ownership records.

Key decisions: recording standards and procedures, document retention policies, fee schedules within state guidelines.

Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans' Court

Magisterial District Judge (MDJ)

An elected judge serving a specific district within the county on a six-year term. Handles minor civil disputes, landlord-tenant cases, small claims, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings in criminal cases. MDJs are often the first point of contact with the court system for most residents.

Key decisions: bail in criminal cases, outcomes in minor civil and traffic matters, whether criminal cases proceed to Common Pleas Court.