Inyo County Municipal Code Ch. 2.36 Department of Public Works

There is created in the county a department of public works.

(Ord. 170 § 1, 1969)

The department of public works shall be responsible for the various functions necessary to the operation and maintenance of the physical plant and properties of the county as directed by the board of supervisors.

(Ord. 170 § 2, 1969)

The department of public works shall furnish and perform the following services and duties:

A. Design, construct and maintain county roads and streets throughout the unincorporated area of the county and on occasion, as required, provide necessary engineering services related thereto, and otherwise perform the duties of road commissioner as defined by law;

B. Acquire property for highway and other county purposes;

C. Administer the maintenance, care, repairs and housekeeping activities of all county property and buildings that are under the jurisdiction of the board of supervisors;

D. Furnish engineering, design and mapping services to all county agencies having public works functions and as ordered by the board of supervisors;

E. Supervise and administer special districts having public works functions;

F. Control, inspect and define standards for subdivision development with respect to roads and other public improvements;

G. Administer building and construction codes and ordinances which may be adopted by the county, and perform any and all inspections which may be incidental thereto;

H. Administer the construction, maintenance and operation of county dumps;

I. Administer the construction, maintenance and operation of county airports;

J. Administer the operation of a county equipment garage and car pool;

K. Perform accounting and other clerical duties necessary to the department of public works;

L. Perform any and all other services of a public works nature that may be ordered by the board of supervisors or county administrative officer.

(Ord. 170 § 3, 1969; Ord. 277 §§ 2, 3, 1975; Ord. 389 § 1, 1980)

A. The director of public works shall be the administrative head of the department of public works.

B. The director of public works may be concurrently appointed to serve as the ex officio road commissioner.

C. If otherwise permitted by law, the Board of Supervisors may abolish the office of road commissioner if the Board transfers all duties of the road commissioner to the director of public works. In such instance, the director of public works shall not be required to have any special permit, registration, or license, but any civil engineering functions that are required to be performed by the road commissioner shall be performed by a registered civil engineer acting under the authority of the director of public works.

D. The director of public works shall be appointed by a majority of the Board of Supervisors.

E. The director of public works shall supervise the personnel engaged in departmental work.

F. The director of public works may purchase, lease or hire such equipment as may be necessary to perform the functions of the department of public works, in conformity with the budget and policies of the county with respect to purchase and rentals, and subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors as to price or rental cost.

G. The director of public works shall report directly to the county administrative officer in all administrative matters, other than those falling under the jurisdiction of the road commissioner if the office of the road commissioner has not been abolished pursuant to subsection C above.

(Ord. 170 § 4, 1969; Ord. 178 § 1, 1970; Ord. 277 § 4, 1975; Ord. 1329, 7/28/2026)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.36.010 through 2.36.040, the director of parks and recreation shall, under the general direction of the board of supervisors, having department head status:

A. Perform responsible professional recreation work for the county;

B. Administer the maintenance, operation, and construction of park facilities and historical monuments;

C. Supervise personnel engaged in these activities;

D. Administer the repair and maintenance of park and recreation structures, campsites, water and sewer systems and other park facilities;

E. Develop procedures for administering the park program;

F. Disseminate information regarding the park program to the public;

G. Establish and maintain procedures for the protection of park properties;

H. Recommend plans for improvements and development of parks and facilities, make frequent inspection of facilities and activities;

I. Supervise, train and evaluate the performance of park personnel; and

J. Perform related duties as required.

(Ord. 170 § 4, 1969; Ord. 178 § 1, 1970; Ord. 389 § 2, 1980)

A. The board of supervisors may appoint a park and recreation commission to assist the director of park and recreation. The commission shall consist of five members, one member from each supervisorial district, appointed by the supervisor of that district. Three directors shall hold office initially for a two year term and two directors shall hold office for a one year term, and thereafter all terms shall be two year terms. No director shall hold office for more than two consecutive terms. The length of terms shall originally be chosen by lot taken by the appointed directors.

B. The commission shall meet quarterly or more often as the chairman of the commission deems necessary. The commission shall be advisory to the director of recreation and the board of supervisors, and may recommend policies and procedures for the efficient and orderly development and operation of parks and recreation.

(Ord. 170 § 4, 1969; Ord. 178 § 1, 1970)