Municipal Government
The municipal government of Neo-Boston is a hollowed-out relic of traditional governance, operating under the looming shadow of corporate control. Officially, Mayor Barron Harkyn leads the city, wielding considerable authority on paper, but in practice, his administration is deeply entangled with megacorporate interests. While his office issues policies and initiatives, most major decisions must pass through corporate-backed councils, ensuring that private enterprise—not the public good—remains the top priority.
Departments & Governance Structure
Neo-Boston's city government still maintains key administrative departments, though many operate as little more than corporate liaisons or redundant bureaucracies. These include:
- Department of Public Works – Oversees infrastructure but is heavily privatized, with most services outsourced to CorSec-controlled utility firms.
- Department of Planning and Development – Handles zoning and urban expansion, though corporate real estate conglomerates dictate policy.
- Department of Public Safety – Nominally in charge of law enforcement, though Aegis Enforcement holds actual jurisdiction, relegating city police to minor civil disputes.
Each department houses sub-agencies and bureaus, many of which are underfunded, mismanaged, or outright obsolete due to corporate parallel institutions taking over their responsibilities.
Corporate Puppetry & Systemic Decay
While the city government still exists as a governing entity, its influence is increasingly superficial. The mayor's office serves as a public-facing symbol, maintaining an illusion of civic order while backroom deals and corporate lobbying dictate policy. The lack of transparency and rampant corruption make true reform nearly impossible, and many residents view City Hall as a ceremonial institution rather than a real source of governance.
Despite its weaknesses, the municipal government remains a battleground for competing interests—a place where rogue bureaucrats, corporate dissidents, and idealistic reformers struggle to wrest back control from the corporations that now shape Neo-Boston’s future.
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