San Bernardino Municipal Code Art. IV City Manager

The Mayor and Council, by a vote of the Mayor and entire Council, shall appoint a City Manager and fix the City Manager’s compensation, as provided in section 304(b) of this Charter. The City Manager may be removed by the Mayor and entire Council in the same manner. The City Manager shall be appointed on the basis of education and experience in the accepted competencies and practices of local government management. The Mayor and Council shall establish and communicate clear expectations for the City Manager. An evaluation of the City Manager’s performance shall be conducted at least annually.

The City Manager shall be the chief executive officer of the City, responsible to the Council for the management of all City affairs placed in the City Manager’s charge by or under this Charter. The City Manager will be the sole authority for managing City operations and appointing and directing City staff, except as otherwise provided in this Charter.

The City Manager shall:

(a) Appoint and suspend or remove all City employees and appoint administrative officers, except as otherwise provided by law, this Charter, or established personnel rules. The City Manager may authorize any administrative officer subject to the City Manager’s direction and supervision to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates in that officer’s department, office or agency;

(b) Direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the City, except as otherwise provided by this Charter or by law;

(c) Attend all Council meetings. The City Manager shall have the right to take part in the discussion but shall not vote;

(d) Ensure the Mayor and Council are informed on all aspects of important emerging issues, including the City’s financial condition and future needs, and as part of that responsibility, brief the Mayor and Council at their meetings on the business matters before them;

(e) See that all laws, provisions of this Charter, and acts of the Council are faithfully executed;

(f) Prepare and submit the annual budget and capital improvement program to the Mayor and Council and implement the final budget approved by the Council to achieve the goals of the City;

(g) Submit to the Mayor and Council and make available to the public a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the City as of the end of each fiscal year;

(h) Make such other reports as the Mayor or Council may request regarding operations;

(i) Make recommendations to the Mayor and Council concerning the affairs of the City and facilitate the work of the Council in developing policy;

(j) Provide staff support services for the Mayor and Council members;

(k) Assist the Mayor and Council in developing long-term goals for the City and strategies to implement these goals;

(l) Be accountable for the implementation of Council goals and policies and the overall performance of the City;

(m) Encourage and provide staff support for regional and intergovernmental cooperation;

(n) Promote partnerships among the Mayor, Council, staff, and citizens in developing public policy and building a sense of community;

(o) Make business and policy recommendations based solely on his or her independent professional judgment and best practices in the interests of the City; and

(p) Perform other such duties as are specified in this Charter, by ordinance, or as may be requested by the Council.