What does the City Manager do?
In the 2016 general election, City of San Bernardino voters approved a new city charter providing for a Council-Manager form of government. Under this governance plan, which is common to most California cities, the elected Mayor and City Council appoints a full-time professional City Manager responsible for the day-to-day administration of city government. The City Manager's Office provides overall management and supervision of designated city departments. The City Manager is the appointing authority and supervisor for most of the city's department heads.
The Mayor and City Council (the legislative branch) are responsible for setting City policy and allocating resources. The City Manager and staff (the executive branch) are tasked with recommending policy and implementing the Mayor and Council's direction. The city departments which report to the City Manager include: Police, Community Development, Finance, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Information Technology and Human Resources. The City Manager's Office also includes staff involved in Economic Development, Communications, Housing and Successor Agency activity.
A City Manager works directly for the entire City Council and receives direction only from the full body, acting by majority vote, conducted at a publicly noticed meeting.
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Submit your comments or questions to the City Manager's Office. Your ideas and comments are appreciated!! All submissions will be reviewed by the City Manager and staff.