Each borough president had a powerful administrative role derived from having a vote on the New York City Board of Estimate, which was responsible for creating and approving the city's budget and proposals for land use.
Cada presidente de distrito tiña un rol poderoso, que se derivaba do feito de ter un voto no New York City Board of Estimate, o corpo responsable de crear e aprobar os orzamentos municipais e realizar as propostas para a ordenación do territorio.