P. Lamont Ewell, City Manager of Santa Monica 

P. Lamont Ewell was appointed as City Manager of Santa Monica in January of 2006.  P. Lamont Ewell previously served as City Manager for the City of San Diego.  Mr. Ewell has experience not only in city management, but in the fire service, having begun his career as a firefighter in Compton and promoting through the ranks there and in Prince George's County, Maryland, to become Fire Chief of Oakland, California, in 1991 - just 13 days before the devastating Oakland Hills fire.  He distinguished himself in managing that fire disaster and rebuilding the area and was later named Assistant City Manager of Oakland.  Thereafter he was appointed as the Deputy City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Acting City Manager.             In 1997, Ewell was named City Manager of the City of Durham, North Carolina, where he restructured government for improved service delivery to the public and helped jumpstart the Downtown renaissance.  Recruited to San Diego in 2001, he was named Assistant City Manager, responsible for day-to-day operation of all city deptartments.  San Diego has approximately 11,000 employees and a budget of $2.4 billion.

What does the City Manager's Office Do?

As the executive officer of the municipal government, the City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the City of Santa Monica, including implementation of City Council ordinances and policies, oversight of fourteen departments and primary responsibility for budget development. The City Manager's authority is derived from Article 7 of the Santa Monica City Charter. The City Manager's Office is comprised of four divisions:  Administration, Community and Governement Relations (including CityTV), the newly-created Office of Sustainability and the Environment and the Santa Monica Municipal Airport.  City management is guided by the Code of Ethics adopted by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). 

Our Newest Members

The Office of Sustainability and the Environment was created from the division of Environmental and Public Works Management known as Environmental Programs.  The former Environmental Programs Division was responsible for the development and implementation of the Sustainable City Plan, a comprehensive strategy for the city and community to create a more sustainable future.  The new division develps and implements programs to manage natural resources and hazardous materials, promotes conservation and efficiency efforts, and adminsters and enforces many of Santa Monica's environmental laws.  Sustainability is not limited in Santa Monica - the office falls under the jurisdiction of the City Manager's Office which allows us to integrate sustainability into all city policies and programs. 

Our City's Budget: Responding to Community Concerns

In conjunction with all city departments, the City Manager prepares and presents a proposed budget to the City Council each June, in anticipation of adoption by the City Council for the fiscal year which begins July 1. Public hearings are held beginning in January and several times more before final adoption, ensuring that the city's annual budget takes into account community needs, interests and priorities. The City Manager's Budget Message provides a thorough but concise description of the budget process, priorities and purpose of the planned expenditures for the current fiscal year.

Mission Statement

To provide leadership and direction in the implementation of City Council policy objectives and administration of City services and programs, ensuring accountability, community responsiveness and customer service excellence.