Regidor is a Spanish term for a council member who represents the community on an ayuntamiento, which manages a city’s affairs. Originally, council members were wealthy individuals who bought or inherited their position, but communities began electing regidors. The alcalde, or mayor, was historically appointed by the regidors but is now elected by the community. The alcalde’s duties were confused, leading to political strife. The regidors hear appeals from community members and make decisions based on customs and traditions, but written laws now play a larger role.
Regidor is a Spanish term referring to a person who serves on an ayuntamiento, or council run as the governing body of a city. A regidor represents the community or a section of the community on the council. The purpose of the council is to advise the alcalde, the person who serves as mayor of the city and chief executive of the council.
An ayuntamiento, or council, manages the affairs of a city. It regulates the police, sets taxes, passes laws, and makes numerous other decisions for the city. Historically, a council member who served on a council did not necessarily have community support, because wealthy individuals traditionally bought or inherited the position. To serve in an ayuntamiento, a regidor was once required to own land. Communities eventually began electing regidors to serve on councils, and land ownership was no longer a requirement.
Spain is where the system of regulating a city through an ayuntamiento developed and where the position of regidor emerged. Many Latin American countries have adopted the Spanish method of governing a community, and many still refer to a council member as a regidor. Spain also imposed its own community government system on many of the American Indian tribes in New Mexico. Spain called these tribes pueblos, and a tribal council and governor still typically manage the affairs of a pueblo.
The number of regidors who serve on a council depends on the population of the city they lead. A regidor has an equal vote on matters requiring council decisions. The Regidors historically appointed one person to serve as alcalde. The alcalde was the head of the council, had the right to vote on council decisions, and had both administrative and judicial functions.
Communities eventually began electing a community member to serve as alcalde. As head of the council, the alcalde was also a regidor, leading meetings and listening to the advice of other regidors. The alcalde’s duties once included serving as a judge to settle disputes between community members. His duties as council head, judicial officer, and community executive were confused, which created political strife. The alcalde also historically served as a liaison between his city and the royal authorities of Spain.
A regidor, as a member of the council, would hear appeals from community members unhappy with the alcalde’s decisions. The board will hear the appeal and decide whether to uphold the decision. The decisions made by the alcalde and the council were based on the customs and traditions of the community. As time has gone by, written laws have become more of a controlling factor for decisions.
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