Who Does What in the City Government?

Duarte is a general law city under a Council/Manager form of government. The seven City Councilmembers are elected for four-year terms. The Mayor is selected by the Council and serves for a one-year term. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Attorney. The City Council also appoints all City Commissioners including:

• Parks and Recreation Commission
• Planning and Economic Development Commission
• Public Safety Commission
• Public Utilities, Communications, and Technology Commission
• Public Works and Traffic Safety Commission

City Structure

To understand how Duarte provides exemplary public services in a transparent and fiscally responsible manner it is important to know about the various services the City provides.

Duarte is a general law city, which means the City is bound by California’s general law enacted by the State Legislature. Duarte is also a contract city, which means select municipal services are provided via a contract arrangement; the City contracts police and fire services. Los Angeles County Sheriff Temple Station provide traditional police services. Los Angeles County Fire Department provides fire services.

The seven members of the City Council are elected to serve a four-year term. Every year, the Council reorganizes, selecting one Council member to serve as Mayor and another Council member to serve as Mayor Pro Tem.

The Council/City Manager form of government combines the leadership of elected officials with the managerial experience of an appointed City Manager. The City Manager carries out the policies set by Council and day-to-day administrative operations. The position is also responsible for implementing the policies and directives of the City Council within the foundation of the City’s Mission Statement. The Manager also directs the various City departments and services with responsibilities that include presenting an annual budget, coordinating a variety of public information resources for both internal and public distribution, and is also the appointed City Treasurer and Director of Public Safety. Additionally, the City Manager is responsible for the long-range planning for the organization and the development of recommendations to the City Council on a variety of public policy issues.

City Manager: Brian Villalobos

City Attorney: Thai V. Phan