Overview
The City Manager is appointed by the City Council to oversee day-to-day municipal operations and to implement the Council’s policy and legislative initiatives. Under direction of the City Council as the city’s legislative body, the City Manager oversees all City government operations.

The City Administration consists of the following divisions: City Clerk, Human Resources, Finance, Recreation, and Contract Services. Contract Services include Law Enforcement, Planning & Building, Economic Development, Communications, and Information Technology.

City Attorney services are contracted and provided to the City by Richards, Watson & Gershon. City Attorney is appointed by the Council and provides legal advice.

City Manager
The City Manager is appointed by City Council and is the administrative head of the City and is responsible for the efficient administration of all affairs of the City which are under his/her control including personnel, organization, laws and ordinances. He / She has a duty to see that all franchises, contracts, permits and privileges granted by the City Council are faithfully observed and to recommend to the City Council for adoption such measures and ordinances as he deems necessary. 

Randy Murphy, City Manger
randym@cityofsolvang.com 

City Clerk

Description of City Clerk Duties
The City Clerk is the local official for elections, local legislation, the Public Records Act, the Political Reform Act, and the Brown Act (open meeting laws). Before and after the City Council takes action, the City Clerk ensures that actions are in compliance with all federal, state, and local statutes and regulations and that all actions are properly executed, recorded, and archived.

The statutes of the State of California prescribe the basic functions and duties of the City Clerk, and the Government Code and Election Code provide precise and specific responsibilities and procedures to follow. 

The Office of the City Clerk is a service department within the municipal government upon which the City Council, all City departments, and the general public rely for information regarding the operations and legislative history of the City. The City Clerk serves as the liaison between the public and City Council and provides related municipal services.

Responsibilities of a City Clerk
As an Elections Official, the City Clerk administers Federal, State, and Local procedures through which local government representatives are selected. The City Clerk assists candidates in meeting their legal responsibilities before, during and after an election. From Election pre-planning to certification of election results and filing of final campaign disclosure documents, the City Clerk manages the process which forms the foundation of our democratic system of government.

As a Legislative Administrator, the City Clerk plays a critical role in the decision-making process of the local legislature. As the key staff for City Council meetings, the City Clerk prepares the legislative Agenda, verifies legal notices have been posted or published, and completes the necessary arrangements to ensure an effective meeting. The City Clerk is entrusted with the responsibility of recording the decisions which constitute the building blocks of our representative government.

As a Records Manager, the City Clerk oversees yet another legislative process; the preservation and protection of the public record. By statute, the City Clerk is required to maintain and index the Minutes, Ordinances, and Resolutions adopted by the legislative body. The City Clerk also ensures that other municipal records are readily accessible to the public. The public record under the conservatorship of the City Clerk provides fundamental integrity to the structure of our democracy.

Working with Your City Clerk
The City Clerk is the local official who administers democratic processes such as elections, access to city records, and all legislative actions ensuring transparency to the public.  The City Clerk acts as a compliance officer for federal, state, and local statutes including the Political Reform Act, the Brown Act, and the Public Records Act. The City Clerk manages public inquiries and relationships and arranges for ceremonial and official functions.

Annamarie Porter, CMC City Clerk

aporter@cityofsolvang.com or cityclerk@cityofsolvang.com 

Form 700 (FPPC Statements of Economic Interests)

87200 Filers

The following information is provided in accordance with the requirements of California Government Code §87505 et seq.:

Pursuant to Government Code §87200 et seq., the following City of Solvang officials and candidates are required to file full-disclosure statements of economic interests (Fair Political Practices Commission Form 700):

• Mayor
• City Council Member
• Candidate for Mayor
• Candidate for City Council Member
• Planning Commissioner
• City Manager
• City Attorney

Copies of the Form 700s filed by the City officials above may be obtained as follows:

• From the FPPC's website: FPPC Form 700 Search
• By contacting the FPPC:

Fair Political Practices Commission
1102 Q Street, Suite 3000
Sacramento, CA 95811 
1-866-ASK-FPPC
cpra@fppc.ca.gov

Designated Filers

In addition to the above officials who are required by state law to file Form 700s, many other City officials are required by the City's local Conflict of Interest Code, a Council-adopted policy, to file Form 700s. These locally-designated filers include Advisory Body Members, Department Heads, certain management staff, and certain consultants, and their required level of disclosure is commensurate with their type and level of decision-making authority.

• View the City's Conflict of Interest Code (Council Ordinance 22-0361)

Tickets and Passes Policy

Agency Report of Ceremonial Role Events and Ticket/Pass Distributions 

FPPC Regulation 18944.1 sets out the circumstances under which an agency’s distribution of tickets to entertainment events, sporting events, and like occasions would not result in a gift to individuals that attend the function.  In general, the agency must adopt a policy which identifies the public purpose served in distributing the admissions.  The Form 802 serves to detail each event and the public purpose of each ticket distribution. 

 View 2023 802 4th of July

View 2024 802 4th of July

View 2024 Danish Days

View 2025 4th of July 802 Form

City Attorney
City Attorney services are contracted and provided to the City by Richards, Watson & Gershon. City Attorney is appointed by the Council and provides legal advice.

Economic Development
Find economic development strategic plan reports and business applications.

Emergency Preparedness
Access information about Emergency Preparedness.

Finance

Wendy Berry, Administrative Services Director

wendyb@cityofsolvang.com

The Finance Division includes Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Utility Billing and General Ledger and Cash Management/Treasury.

Human Resources
The Human Resources Division is responsible for payroll, benefits, recruitment and employment.