People often wonder where city governance begins and where service begins. For us the distinctions are clear and in this page we list some of the services and roles in each of our departments. We start by showing you our organizational structure.

City Secretary
     This department assumes the responsibility for meeting all of the legal requirements for posting agendas, publishing legal notices, conducting elections and preserving records. In addition, I have also been serving as administrator’s secretary for the City Manager. So in effect I do the best in fulfilling the responsibilities for two positions. Recordkeeping is essential due to the need of informing the public of the local laws that govern everyday life. City staff also needs to know, abide by, and enforce these laws set forth by the elected officials. During city elections I am also the voting clerk for an election ordered by an authority of the city.

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Finance
    This department facilitates the general operations of the Accounting Department, the Procurement Department and the Human Resources Department. Some of the duties assigned to this department are: Cash Management Activities, Accounts Payable activities, Payroll Activities, Personnel Activities, Financial Activities, Internal & External Correspondence, Perform Cash, Management Activities, Reconcile deposit support documentation with actual deposits, Maintain General Ledger for deposit activity, Perform Payroll Functions, Enter Timesheets and Process Payroll, Human Resources, Process New Employee information for PR and other reporting purposes, Process Terminations and related forms for TMRS, etc., Reconcile Payroll Deductions against related invoices, Health Insurance, Process Employee Insurance applications and Process Employee Insurance terminations. This department is also charged with contract management and the monitoring of all project expenditures.

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Maintenance
    This department is responsible for a wide variety of municipal public works projects including: maintenance of parks, municipal buildings, alley ways, animal control, collaboration with Code Enforcement Officer in implementing a weedy lot program, responsible for overseeing the cleaning of weedy lots, review of construction and assist with minor construction projects. This department also participates in the planning for long range public works development in conjunction with other city departments and provides quick response and follow-up to complaints from the general public. In order to better facilitate the needs of the community, this department as been divided into three sub-departments: Building Maintenance, Park and Recreation and Street Maintenance.

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Planning & Zoning

    Any development within city limits requires proper oversight, planning, and follow-through with residents or commercial developers. We do this to assure adequate protection to the residents so that any infrastructure and home investment in the city is of quality. Planning and Zoning also encompasses Code Enforcement and Building Inspections.

   In code enfocement Ordinance 79-11 is one of the most important and highly used by the code enforcement official. This ordinance states that weeds, rubbish, motor vehicles, dilapidated buildings, burned hulls, or any objectionable, unsightly and unsanitary matter of whatever nature shall exist, covering or partly covering the surface of any lot or parcel of real estate within the city that is liable to cause disease or produce, harbor, or spread disease
or germs of any nature, or tend to render the surrounding atmosphere unhealthy, this shall be considered a public nuisance. If you live next to a weedy lot or have questions concerning this ordinance contact Alberto Maldonado.

   If you build a driveway, fence, porch, do plumbing, electrical, storage room, remodel, build additions, patio, pool, garage, move a home, covered parking, and any foundation, you will need to request a permit from the city. Permits pricing ranges from $5.00 to $100. The City of Alton would like inform the citizens of Alton, that for public safety, it is imperative that if you are constructing any of the afore-mentioned items you have our city inspectors review the ordinances, requirements, and your property for proper placement, specifications, and safety concerns.

   Please remember that the City of Alton is protecting the public from unsafe conditions when enforcing ordinances and codes. The City of Alton might also save you time and money when reviewing your project. Help us to do the right thing. If you have any questions contact David Deleon, City Planner.

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Special Projects
   The Community page is a comprehensive look at the many quality of life and social programs administered or partnered within this department.

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Police Department

   There are many misconceptions when it comes to calling your local police department in order to file a report. Whether it is a complaint about a noisy neighbor to a crime in progress there are many similarities as well as differences to how they are all handled. Here are a few steps to help ease some of that confusion.

When law enforcement is needed there are two different manners in which to contact that agency by telephone.
a. 911- (Emergency) -Only to be used in the event that there may be a reason to believe someone’s life is in danger or someone’s property is in the process of being stolen or damaged.
b. Non-emergency -To be used for everyday type of complaints ranging from complaints about neighbors to loose dogs to any other non life threatening incident.
c. Information that should be provided to the agency should be:

-Address
-Name of caller
-Phone number from where they are calling
-Description of what is happening
-Description of any persons at the location involved in the incident
-Description of any vehicles involved

   Once the law enforcement officer arrives at the scene inform him/her of the incident. At this time the officer will make any arrests if necessary and if there is an opportunity to make that arrest. The officer will then make a full report and submit that report to the investigators.
It is important to note that the more information provided, the faster a case can be resolved. A lack of evidence or leads may slow down any investigation.

   The dire need for law enforcement in general leaves agencies overwhelmed with criminal cases, so patience is important. Remember that even though a case may take a long time, your local law enforcement agency is always on the job.

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Volunteer Fire Department

   The Alton Volunteer Fire Dept. has five fire trucks and personnel on call 24 hours a day. The trucks consist of two brush trucks, one rescue truck, one fire engine and one tanker to handle various types of emergencies. Our personnel consists of both paid and volunteer fire fighters working around the clock to serve the City of Alton and its citizens in case of an emergency. We encourage the citizens to always call 911 in case of an emergency as well as to report illegal burning and dumping of trash to our non-emergency line (956) 581-5800. We encourage the citizens to follow these steps to prevent fires at home:

1. Don’t leave candles burning at home unattended.
2. Never leave food cooking on the stove unattended.
3. Check all electrical outlets and never leave unnecessary electrical items on.
4. Do not overload electrical outlets.
5. Never let children play with matches or lighters.
6. Don’t start fires close to the house (includes BBQ pits close to house or inside the garage or shed).

In case you are the victim of a house fire the Alton Vol. Fire Dept. is committed to assist you as much as possible thru various program assistance. For example we help you process with either the Salvation Army or the Red Cross. These agencies are available to the public in these circumstances. These agencies will ask for a report on the damage on your property which we provide. Remember! Preventing fires at home starts with you!

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