A: Policies state basic requirements which should guide the behavior of Salt Lake City employees. First-line supervisors are most often the primary audience for City policies.
Policies are clear and concise, beginning with a “General” section (which includes definitions) and continuing with more detailed information if necessary. Policies are organized by subject, and do not include procedural information.
Policies
include a comprehensive references section, with as many electronic links to
relevant sources as possible. Policies are reviewed by the cabinet, which
recommends them to the Mayor for his signature.
Administrative rules are statements of how Salt Lake City Corporation conducts
its business, which often have the public as their primary audience.
Administrative rules may also clarify responsibilities between City
departments. For legal purposes, they have the same effect as
policies.
Because the subject matter of administrative rules pertains to
the public’s business, the approval process for administrative rules includes
making a reasonable effort to obtain public comment. With this in mind,
the City will circulate draft administrative rules to a reasonable audience of
affected customers for comment during the development
process.
Administrative rules share the same format as policies, and are
categorized by responsible City agency (i.e., City Attorney’s Office, Community
& Economic Development Department, etc.). The public has access to
administrative rules through the Recorder’s Office, City departments, and when
it becomes possible, through the Internet.
Executive Orders are statements issued by the Mayor which address a special circumstance or exception to established practice. Executive orders are brief, and generally few and far between.
City departments are the primary audience for executive orders. Executive orders have the same format and legal force as policies.