[Ord. No. 03-01, §§ I, II, 1-27-2003]
In order to provide the City with a more efficient, effective and responsible government under a system of a part-time Mayor and part-time Common Council, referred to in this division as "Council," at a time when the City government is becoming increasingly complex, there is created the office of City Administrator, referred to in this division as "Administrator."
[Ord. No. 03-01, §§ I, II, 1-27-2003; amended 5-24-2010 by Ord. No. 10-05]
The Administrator shall be appointed as provided under Section 2-3 and on the basis of merit with due regard to training, experience, administrative ability and general fitness for the office, by a majority vote of the Council. The Administrator shall hold office for an indefinite term, subject to removal at any time by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Council. This section, however, shall not preclude the Council from establishing other employment terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of this division or any other ordinance.
[Ord. No. 03-01, §§ I, II, 1-27-2003]
The Administrator, subject to the limitations defined in resolutions and ordinances of the City and state statutes, shall be the chief administrative officer of the City, responsible only to the Mayor and the Council for the proper administrations of the business affairs of the City, pursuant to state statutes, local resolutions or ordinances and directives of the Council, with the following power and duties:
(1) 
General duties. General duties are as follows:
a. 
Carry out directives of the Mayor and Council which require administrative implementation, reporting promptly to the Mayor and Council any difficulties encountered.
b. 
Administer day-to-day operations of City government including monitoring City ordinances, resolutions, Council meeting minutes, and state statutes.
c. 
Evaluate and codify all existing City policies and procedures.
d. 
Assist the Mayor and Council in establishing City-wide goals and objectives; ensure that these goals and objectives are implemented on a consistent basis.
e. 
Review the existing organization chart, which defines authority and responsibility for all nonstatutory positions of the City and submit any suggested changes to the Personnel Committee for recommendation to Council for adoption as the official organization and administrative procedure plan for the City.
f. 
Establish when necessary administrative procedures to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of City government according to current practices in local government, not inconsistent with Subsection (1)c of this section or directives of the Mayor and Council.
g. 
Attend Finance/License and Judicial Committee meetings. Keep informed by minutes and/or committee members, of the activities, etc. of all other committees, boards and commissions of the City.
h. 
Keep informed concerning current federal, state, and county legislation and administrative rules affecting the City and submit appropriate reports and recommendations thereon to the Council.
i. 
Keep informed concerning the availability of federal, state, and county funds for local programs. Assist department heads and the council in obtaining these funds under the direction of the Mayor and the Council.
j. 
Represent the City in matters involving legislative and intergovernmental affairs as authorized and directed as to that representation by the Mayor and the Council.
k. 
Act as public information officer for the City with the responsibility of ensuring that the news media are kept informed about the operations of the City and that all open meeting rules and regulations are followed.
l. 
Establish and maintain procedures to facilitate communications between citizens and City government to ensure that complaints, grievances, recommendations and other matters receive prompt attention by the responsible official, and to ensure that all such matters are expeditiously resolved.
m. 
Promote the economic well-being and growth of the City through public/private sector cooperation.
(2) 
Responsibilities to the Mayor and City Council. The Administrator's responsibilities to the Mayor and Council are as follows:
a. 
Attend all meetings of the Council, assisting the Mayor and the Council as required in the performance of their duties.
b. 
In coordination with the Mayor, the Council and the Clerk, ensure that appropriate agendas are prepared to all meetings of the Council, all Council committees and all other appropriate committees and commissions of the City, together with such supporting material as may be required, with nothing in this section being construed as to give the Administrator authority to limit or in any way prevent matters from being considered by the Council, or any of its committees and commissions.
c. 
Assist in the preparation of ordinances and resolutions as requested by the Mayor or the Council, or as needed.
d. 
Keep the Mayor and Council regularly informed about the activities of the Administrator's office by oral or written report at regular and special meetings of the Council.
e. 
If action normally requiring Council approval is necessary at a time when the Council cannot meet, the Administrator shall receive directives from the Mayor, or in the absence of the Mayor, from the Council President.
(3) 
Personnel responsibilities. The Administrator will be responsible to City Council through Personnel Committee for the administrative direction and coordination of all employees of the City according to the established organization procedures, including:
a. 
Recommending to personnel the appointment, promotion, and when necessary for the good of the City, the suspension or termination of all City employees who are not subject to personnel decisions by the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners or the Library Board.
b. 
Evaluate in conjunction with department heads the performance of all employees on a regular basis; develop and enforce high standards of performance by City employees; ensure that City employees have proper working conditions; and work closely with department heads to promptly resolve personnel problems or grievances.
c. 
Assist in labor contract negotiations and collective bargaining issues.
d. 
Work closely with supervisors to assure that employees receive adequate opportunities for training to maintain and improve their job-related knowledge and skills and act as the approving authority for requests by employees to attend conferences, meetings, training schools, etc., provided that funds have been budgeted for these activities.
(4) 
Budgeting and purchasing responsibilities. The budgeting and purchasing responsibilities of the Administrator are as follows.
a. 
Responsibility for the preparation of the annual City budget, in accordance with guidelines as may be provided by the City Council and in coordination with department heads, and pursuant to state statutes, for review and approval by the Mayor and the Council.
b. 
Administering the budget as adopted by the Council.
c. 
Reporting regularly to the Council on the current fiscal position of the City.
d. 
Supervising the accounting system of the City ensuring that the system employs methods in accordance with current professional accounting practices.
e. 
Serving as the purchasing agent for the City, supervising all purchasing and contracting for supplies and services, subject to the purchasing procedures established by the Council and any limitation contained in the state statutes.
f. 
Assist the Comptroller in examining investment accounts and reports to ensure compliance with established fiscal policies and procedures.
[Amended 5-24-2010 by Ord. No. 10-05]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Sec. 2-183, Residency requirements, Ord. No. 03-01, §§ I, II, 1-27-2003, was repealed 2-14-2022 by Ord. No. 22-01. This ordinance also redesignated former Secs. 2-184 through 2-186 as Secs. 2-183 through 2-185, respectively.
[Ord. No. 03-01, §§ I, II, 1-27-2003]
All officials and employees of the City shall cooperate with and assist the Administrator so that the City government shall function effectively and efficiently.
[Ord. No. 03-01, §§ I, II, 1-27-2003]
Nothing in this division shall limit the authority or responsibility of the Mayor, as chief executive officer, or the Common Council as the legislative body.