In addition to the City Council, the following positions are deemed officers of the City of Bridgman: City Manager, City Clerk, City Treasurer, City Assessor, and City Attorney, all who shall be appointed by the City Council upon the recommendation of the Mayor for such terms, if any, as it may establish. No person shall be appointed to any office in the City who is a defaulter to the City. Subject to state law and except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the City Manager shall establish the qualifications and compensation of the City Clerk, City Treasurer, and all other employees of the City.
The City Manager shall be a person of good business and executive ability. The City Manager shall be selected by, serve and hold office at the discretion of the Council. The Council's authority in disciplining, suspending or removing the City Manager shall be final.
The Council may enter into an employment contract with the City Manager which shall be in writing and shall specify the compensation to be paid to the City Manager, including any procedure for changing the compensation, any fringe benefits and any other conditions of employment. The employment contract may extend beyond the terms of the members of the Council. The contract with the City Manager shall state that the City Manager serves at the discretion of the Council. The employment contract may provide for severance pay or any other benefits in the event the employment of the City Manager is terminated at the discretion of the Council.
By letter filed with the City Clerk, the City Manager shall designate a City officer or employee to exercise the powers and perform the duties of City Manager during the City Manager's temporary absence or disability. The Council may revoke the designation at any time and appoint another officer or employee of the City to serve until the City Manager returns.
The City Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the City, responsible to the Council for the administration of all matters placed in the City Manager's charge by the Council by authority of this Charter. The City Manager shall:
a. 
Enforce all laws and ordinances, this Charter, and carry out the policies and resolutions of the Council.
b. 
Except as otherwise provided by this Charter, direct and supervise the administration of all administrative offices and departments of the City.
c. 
Appoint, discipline, suspend or terminate all City employees, except those officers appointed by the Council who shall be terminated only with the consent of the Council. The City Manager may authorize any officer or head of a department to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates in that department.
d. 
Prepare and submit an annual budget and capital program to the Council for its approval, and administer the budget adopted by the Council.
e. 
Keep the Council advised of the financial condition and administrative activities of the City, and make such other reports as the Council may require concerning the operation of the City.
f. 
Manage and supervise all public works, crossings, buildings, roads, improvements and other undertakings of the City.
g. 
Manage and supervise all City utilities.
h. 
Attend all Council meetings. The City Manager shall have the right to take part in all discussions, but shall not have a vote.
i. 
Make recommendations to the City Council concerning the affairs of the City and perform such other duties as are specified in this Charter, ordinance, resolution or as may be required by the Council.
The City Clerk shall be the ex officio Clerk of the City Council and shall keep a complete record of the proceedings of the Council. The City Clerk shall perform all duties required by state law, this Charter and the Council.
The City Manager may appoint a Deputy Clerk who in the absence of the City Clerk shall have all of the powers, duties and authority of the City Clerk.
The City Treasurer shall perform all duties as required by state law, this Charter and the Council.
The City Manager may appoint a Deputy Treasurer who in the absence of the City Treasurer shall have all of the powers, duties and authority of the City Treasurer.
The Assessor shall perform all duties set forth in state law, this Charter, ordinance or resolution.
The Council shall appoint a City Attorney who shall hold office at the discretion of the Council. The City Attorney shall serve as chief legal advisor to the City Council, the City Manager and all City departments, offices, boards and commissions. The City Attorney shall represent the City in all legal proceedings and shall perform any other duties prescribed by state law, this Charter, ordinance or resolution. The City Attorney shall be an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan and shall receive the compensation established by the Council. The Council may retain special legal counsel to represent the City or to assist the City Attorney.
No officer appointed by the Council shall be removed from office for a period of 90 days following any election for the position of City Council, except for breach of the specific terms of his or her employment contract or terms of employment or conviction of a felony.
Resignations of officers shall be made in writing and filed with the Clerk and shall be acted upon by the Council at its next regular meeting following receipt thereof by the Clerk. Resignations of other employees shall be under the discretion of the City Manager.