SECTIONS 11926-11942

11926.  The board shall appoint and fix the salary of a generalmanager, who shall have full charge and control of the constructionof the works of the district and of their maintenance and operation,and also of the administration of the business affairs of thedistrict.11927.  All other things being equal, the board shall appoint asgeneral manager some person who has had experience in municipalengineering or in the construction or management of public utilities.11928.  The general manager need not be a resident of this State atthe time of his appointment.11929.  The general manager shall hold office for an indefinite termand may be removed by the board only upon the adoption of aresolution by the affirmative vote of not less than three members ofthe board of a five-ward district, or four members of the board of aseven-ward district. Before the general manager may be removed, heshall, if he demands it, be given a written statement of the reasonsalleged for his removal and he shall have the right to be publiclyheard thereon at a meeting of the board prior to the final vote onthe resolution providing for his removal, but pending and during suchhearing the board may suspend him from office. The board may notreduce the salary of the general manager below the amount fixed atthe time of his original appointment except upon the adoption of aresolution by a like vote and after a like opportunity to be heard.The action of the board in suspending or removing the general manageror reducing his salary, if approved by a majority of the membershipof the board, is final.11930.  Notwithstanding this article, until such time as thedistrict has operated, controlled, or used works or parts of worksfor providing the inhabitants and public agencies within theboundaries of the district with the utility services, or any of them,specified in this division, for a period of six months, the boardmay or may not appoint a general manager, who during such time holdsoffice at the pleasure of the majority of the board.11931.  The board may appoint an accountant, a secretary, atreasurer, and an attorney, who shall hold office during the pleasureof the board.11932.  The attorney shall be admitted to practice law in theSupreme Court of the State, and shall have been actively engaged inthe practice of his profession for not less than three years nextpreceding his appointment.11933.  The board may also provide for assistants to any officer ofthe district who shall hold office at the pleasure of the board andmay perform any and all acts that their principal may perform, whenauthorized so to do by the board.11934.  The board may consolidate any of the district offices in oneperson.11935.  The oath of office of all appointive officers of thedistrict shall be taken, subscribed, and filed with the secretary ofthe district at any time after the officer has notice of hisappointment but not later than 15 days after the commencement of histerm of office. No other filing is required.11936.  Each appointive officer shall give such bond and in suchamount as the board may require.11937.  The powers of the general manager are: (a) To see that all ordinances of the district are enforced. (b) To administer the civil service system of the district and,except as otherwise provided in this division, to appoint to thepositions created by the board which are subject to the civil serviceprovisions of this division, such employees as are necessary for theadministration of the affairs of the district, and to remove suchemployees, in accordance with the provisions of the civil servicesystem. (c) To attend all meetings of the board and submit a generalreport of the affairs of the district. (d) To keep the board advised as to the needs of the district. (e) To prepare or cause to be prepared all plans andspecifications for the construction of the works of the district. (f) To devote his entire time to the business of the district. (g) To perform such other and additional duties as the board mayrequire.11938.  The general manager shall within 90 days from the end ofeach fiscal year cause to be published a summary of the financialreport showing the result of operations for the preceding fiscal yearand the financial status of the district on the last day thereof.The publication shall be made in the manner provided in this divisionfor the publication of ordinances and notices generally.11939.  The attorney shall take charge of all suits and other legalmatters to which the district is a party or in which it is legallyinterested. He shall give his advice or opinion in writing wheneverrequired by the board. He shall be the legal adviser of the generalmanager and other district officers and shall prepare and approve theforms of all ordinances, resolutions, contracts, bonds, and otherlegal documents connected with the business of the district. He shallperform such other and additional services as the board may require.11940.  The accountant shall install and maintain a system ofauditing and accounting which shall completely and at all times showthe financial condition of the district and provide reasonableassurance that the financial transactions of the district wereexecuted in accordance with the instructions of the board. Theaccountant shall prepare all instruments necessary for the payment ofdemands against the district in accordance with the instructions ofthe board. The accountant shall perform such other duties as theboard may require.11941.  The treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of thedistrict and shall make payments and execute instruments for thepayment of demands against the district after determination by theaccountant that the demands are authorized. The treasurer shall keepan account of all receipts and disbursements.11942.  With the consent of the board, the treasurer may: (a) Authorize the trust department of any state or national bank,or a trust company authorized to act as such, to receive as his agentdeposits of any securities acquired by the district. (b) Place and maintain for safekeeping as a trust deposit with thetrust department of any state or national bank, or a trust companyauthorized to act as such, any securities owned by the district. The bank or trust company selected shall have a total paid-incapital of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000). The treasurershall take from the trust department or trust company a receipt forthe securities, and neither the treasurer nor the district isresponsible for the custody and safe return of the securities untilthey are withdrawn from the trust department or trust company by thetreasurer. Any trust department or trust company to which securitiesare delivered, either as agent or depositary for the treasurer, shallmake such disposition of the securities as the treasurer directs andis responsible only for strict compliance with written instructionsgiven to it by the treasurer. All such securities are at all timessubject to the order of the treasurer.