Vernon Municipal Code Ch. 2.20 Department Organization

The City shall have the following departments and the City Council of the City of Vernon shall appoint the department head by resolution, after receiving the recommendation of the City Administrator:

A. City Administration. There is hereby created and ratified in the service of the City the City Administration Department. The City Administrator shall administer the City Administration Department and shall be responsible to the City Council for the proper and efficient management of all the affairs of the City, acting as the agent of the City Council in the discharge of his or her administrative duties, subject to the provisions of the City Charter and Title 2 of this Code of the City of Vernon and report directly to the City Council. As fully set forth in Section 2.08.060(C) of this title, the City Administrator shall administer and implement the personnel merit system and hiring system. Except as otherwise provided, the City Administrator shall perform such other duties as set forth in the Charter of the City of Vernon or the Code or as prescribed by the City Council.

B. City Clerk Department. There is hereby created and ratified in the service of the City the City Clerk Department. The City Clerk shall administer the City Clerk Department of the City, subject to provisions set forth in the Code of the City of Vernon and report to the City Administrator. Except as otherwise provided, the City Clerk shall perform such other duties as set forth in Charter of the City of Vernon or the Code, or as prescribed by the City Council.

C. City Council Department. There is hereby created and ratified in the service of the City the City Council Department.

D. Finance Department. There is hereby created and ratified in the service of the City the Finance Department. The Finance Director/City Treasurer shall administer the Finance Department and, as to issues concerning the Department, he or she shall report to the City Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Code of the City of Vernon or as prescribed by the City Council.

E. Health and Environmental Control Department. There is hereby created and ratified in the service of the City the Health and Environmental Control Department, which may also be cited as the Health Department or the Environmental Health Department. The Director of Health and Environmental Control, which may also be cited as the Director of Environmental Health, shall administer the Health and Environmental Control Department and as to issues concerning the Department, he or she shall report to the City Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Code of the City of Vernon or as prescribed by the City Council.

F. Human Resources Department. There is hereby created and ratified in the service of the City the Human Resources Department, which may also be cited as the Department of Human Resources. The Director of Human Resources, which may also be cited as the Human Resources Director, shall administer the Human Resources Department and, as to issues concerning the Department, he or she shall report to the City Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Charter of the City of Vernon or the Code of the City of Vernon or as prescribed by the City Council.

G. Office of the City Attorney/Public Prosecutor. There is hereby created and ratified in the service of the City, the office of the City Attorney/Public Prosecutor, which may also be cited as the City Attorney's office. The City Attorney shall administer the office of the City Attorney/Public Prosecutor and, as to issues concerning the department, he or she shall report directly to the City Council, subject to the provisions of the Charter of the City of Vernon or the Code of the City of Vernon or as prescribed by the City Council.

H. Police Department. There is hereby created and ratified in the service of the City, the Police Department. The Chief of Police, which may also be cited as the Police Chief, shall administer the Police Department and report to the City Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Code of the City of Vernon or as prescribed by the City Council.

I. Public Utilities Department. There is hereby created and ratified in the service of the City, the Public Utilities Department. The General Manager of Public Utilities shall administer the Public Utilities Department and report to the City Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Code of the City of Vernon or as prescribed by the City Council.

J. Public Works Department. There is hereby created and ratified in the service of the City the Public Works Department. The Director of Public Works shall administer the Public Works Department and report to the City Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Code of the City of Vernon or as prescribed by the City Council.

(Prior code § 2.69-1)

Section 2.20.010 provides that certain department heads shall report directly to the City Council with respect to issues concerning their departments. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "report directly to the City Council" means that the relevant department head may place on a City Council agenda for discussion or action any item that impacts the department head's department. Such item may be placed on the agenda through the office of the City Clerk in accordance with the City Clerk's agenda procedures and by providing a copy to the City Administrator.

(Prior code § 2.69-2)