§ 3-301. General.

(a)

Except where another meaning is clearly intended, the word "department" in this Charter shall mean any agency in the executive and administrative branch of the city government. The departments of the city shall be created and established by ordinance, and the departments shall be responsible for the performance of the functions and services enumerated therein.

(b)

The operations and responsibilities of such departments shall be distributed accordingly: that the first degree of organization shall be department; that the second degree of organization shall be office; that the third degree of organization shall be division, that the fourth degree of organization shall be bureau. The assignment of organizational structure shall be accomplished by the administrative branch of government and shall be published to the governing body through a communication that shall set forth the organizational structure of each department. The departments shall consist of such officers, employees, and positions as may be authorized by ordinance.

(c)

There shall be a commissioner of each department who shall be the principal officer thereof. Each commissioner shall be responsible for the administration and direction of the affairs and operations of his or her department and shall exercise general management and control thereof.

(d)

Vacancies occurring in an appointive office shall be filled in the same manner as prescribed by this Charter for original appointments.

(e)

The commissioners of departments and other appointed officers shall be appointed solely on the basis of their respective executive, administrative, and professional qualifications which shall be prescribed by ordinance.

(f)

The compensation of appointed officers and directors of departments shall be fixed by the council.

(g)

The mayor may initiate or create additional departments, or propose the abolishment of departments, subject to the provisions of this Charter and approval by the council.

(1996 Ga. L. (Act No. 1019), p. 4469; Ord. No. 1998-6, § 1, 2-23-98; Ord. No. 2005-83, § 1, 11-22-05)