Pub. Resources Code, § 5549

(a) The general manager has the following administrative and executive functions, powers, and duties. The general manager shall do all of the following:

(1) Enforce this article and all ordinances and regulations of the district.

(2) Appoint and remove subordinates, clerks, and other employees, and exercise supervision and control over all departments and offices of the district, subject to the personnel rules, civil service or merit system, and policies adopted by the board.

(3) Attend all meetings of the board unless excused by the board.

(4) Submit to the board for adoption any measures, ordinances, and regulations the general manager deems necessary or expedient.

(5) Enforce all terms and conditions imposed in favor of the district or its inhabitants in any contract and report any violations to the board or the police department, as appropriate.

(6) Prepare and submit the annual budget to the board and perform all other duties imposed by this article or by the board.

(b) (1) With the approval of the board, the general manager may bind the district, in accordance with board policy that has been adopted in an open meeting, and without advertising, for the payment for supplies, materials, labor, or other valuable consideration for any purpose, including new construction of a building, structure, or improvement, in amounts not exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). All expenditures shall be reported to the board of directors at its next regular meeting.

(2) A district may, by action of the board in an open meeting, increase the amount by which the general manager may bind the district above the fifty-thousand-dollar ($50,000) limit established in paragraph (1). An increase made pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed an amount equal to 2 percent, for each fiscal year following the operative date of the last adjustment, of the amount in effect when the board’s action is adopted.

(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), in a district with a population of 200,000 or more, and with the approval of the board, the general manager may bind the district, in accordance with board policy that has been adopted in an open meeting, for the payment for equipment, supplies, and materials for any purpose, including new construction of a building, structure, or improvement, excluding labor and services, when the annual aggregate cost does not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).

(2) This subdivision applies only to the procurement of tangible equipment, supplies, and materials and shall not be interpreted to authorize the general manager to bind the district for labor or services, in an amount not exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), that are customarily or historically performed by district employees.