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Council / Manager Form of Government
 
The City of Twentynine Palms operates under a Council-Manager form of government. In that form, the City Council is responsible for adopting all laws and public policies, setting goals, designing strategies, adopting budgets, and giving direction. The Council presides over governance and appoints a professional administrator to carry out the day-to-day management of the City's affairs. The City's legislative authority resides in the Mayor and Council; their power includes all policy-making responsibility for the municipality. In the Council-Manager form of government, the Council decides, and the Manager, as an agent of the Council, acts. The City Manager is charged with the duty of executing the policy decisions of the Council under the direct and close supervision of the Council. 
 
Council expects the City Manager to:
  1. Be the City's chief administrative officer and be responsible to the city council for the proper administration of all affairs of the City.
  2. Appoint and, when necessary, suspend or remove officers and employees of the City except as otherwise provided by the city charter or law, and direct and supervise their work.
  3. Prepare the budget and submit it to the Council annually, together with a message describing its important features, and be responsible for its administration after adoption.
  4. Prepare and submit to the Council as of the end of the fiscal year a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the City for the preceding year.
  5. Keep the Council advised of the City's financial condition and future needs and make such recommendations as he may deem desirable.
  6. Recommend to the governing body a standard pay schedule for each appointed office and position in the city service, including minimum, intermediate, and maximum rates.
  7. Recommend to the governing body (from time to time) adoption of such policies as he may deem necessary or expedient for the health, safety, or welfare of the community, or health, safety, or welfare of the community, or for the improvement of the administrative services.
  8. Consolidate or combine offices, positions, departments, or units under his jurisdiction with the city council's approval.
  9. Attend all city council meetings unless excused therefrom and participate in the discussion of all matters coming before the Council.
  10. Supervise the purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment for which funds are provided in the budget.
  11. See that all laws and ordinances are properly enforced. Investigate the activities of the City or any department or division.
  12. Investigate all complaints concerning the administration of the government of the City and regarding service maintained by the public utilities in the City, and see that all franchises, permits, and privileges granted by the City are faithfully observed.
  13. Devote his entire time to the discharge of his official duties.
  14. Perform such other duties as may be required by Council.