(a) 
The Council, by an affirmative vote of a 2/3 majority of the entire membership, shall appoint a Town Manager, who shall be the chief administrative and executive officer of the Town. The Town Manager shall be responsible to the Council for administration of all affairs of the Town, with only those exceptions that are named in this Charter.
(b) 
The method of selection shall be left to the discretion of the Council so long as the method insures orderly, non-partisan action toward securing a competent and qualified person to fill the position. The Town Manager shall possess suitable executive management experience to be determined in the sole discretion of the Council.
(c) 
Neither the Mayor nor any Council member shall be appointed Town Manager or acting Town Manager while holding office, or for a period of one (1) year after leaving office.
(d) 
The Town Manager shall establish residency in the Town of Northlake within six months of appointment. The Town Council may permit the Town Manager longer than six months to establish residency, but in no event shall the Town Manager be excused from the requirement to establish residency in the Town.
The Town Manager shall receive compensation as may be fixed by the Council, and amended from time to time, according to the person’s experience, education, training, and performance.
(a) 
The Town Manager shall serve at the will and pleasure of the Council and may be removed from office with or without cause by an affirmative vote of a 2/3 majority of the entire membership of the Council.
(b) 
The action of the Council in suspending or removing the Town Manager shall be final. It is the intention of this Charter to vest all authority and fix all responsibilities of such suspension or removal in the Council.
(c) 
In case of the absence, disability, or suspension of the Town Manager, Council may designate a qualified administrative officer of the Town to perform the duties of the office.
(d) 
The Council is authorized to enter into a contract with a Town Manager to establish additional terms of employment.
The Council shall require the Town Manager before entering office, to execute a good and sufficient surety company bond, in such amount as the Council may demand, payable to the Town and conditioned for the faithful performance of the duties of the Town Manager’s office. The premium of such bond is to be paid by the Town.
The Town Manager shall be the chief administrative officer and head of the administrative branch of the Town. The Town Manager shall be responsible to the Council for the proper administration of all the affairs of the Town and to that end shall have the power and be required to:
(1) 
In cooperation with the Town Attorney, see that all State laws and Town ordinances are effectively enforced.
(2) 
Appoint, suspend, and/or remove all or any one of the heads of departments and all subordinate officers and employees of the Town; provided, however, that the Council by ordinance may provide for personnel procedures or policies that permit designated department heads an appeal to the Council regarding termination of employment.
(3) 
Direct and supervise the administration of all departments and subdivisions thereof created by this Charter, or that may hereafter be created by the Council, except as hereinafter provided.
(4) 
See that all terms and conditions imposed in favor of the Town or its inhabitants in any public utility franchise are faithfully kept and performed, and upon knowledge of any violation thereof to call the same to the attention of the Town Attorney, whose duty it shall be to take such steps as may be necessary to enforce the same.
(5) 
Attend all meetings of the Council, except when excused by the Council. The Town Manager shall have the right to take part in discussion but shall not vote.
(6) 
Prepare a proposed budget annually and submit it to the Council not less than sixty (60) days prior to the close of the fiscal year of each year and be responsible for its administration after its adoption.
(7) 
Administer the budget of the Town.
(8) 
Prepare and submit to the Council at the end of the fiscal year a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the Town for the preceding year.
(9) 
Keep the Council advised of the financial condition and future needs of the Town and make such recommendations as may seem to him advisable.
(10) 
Prepare personnel rules subject to the approval of the Council.
(11) 
Prepare the official agenda of all Council meetings and meetings of the boards and commissions.
(12) 
Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this Charter or by the Council.
The Town Manager shall appoint a Town Secretary subject to approval of the Council. The Town Secretary shall act as the clerk of the council, give notice of its meetings, keep the journal of its proceedings, authenticate by signature and record in full in a book kept for the purpose all ordinances and resolutions, and perform such other duties as this Charter may provide, as the Town Manager may assign, or as required by state law.
The duties and powers of the Town Secretary shall be as follows:
(1) 
Give notices of all official Town Council meetings in a manner consistent with this Charter and state law.
(2) 
Attend all public meetings and hearings of the Town Council.
(3) 
Record the minutes of all official meetings of the Council; provided, however, only the captions of duly enacted ordinances and resolutions shall be recorded in the minutes.
(4) 
Be the custodian of all municipal records of the Council.
(5) 
Recommend to the Council rules and regulations to be adopted by ordinances to protect the safety and security of the municipal records.
(6) 
Hold and maintain the Town Seal and affix to all instruments requiring such seal.
(7) 
Inquire into or investigate the genuineness of any signature on and the factual sufficiency of any initiative, referendum or recall petition filed with the Town Secretary in accordance with the provisions of this Charter, and for that purpose the Town Secretary shall have the power to administer oaths, subpoena witnesses, compel the production of books, papers, records, and other evidence.
(8) 
Perform such other duties as may be required by the Council, or required by law.[1]
[1]
Editor's note-Original was numbered as (6).
The Town Manager shall appoint a Chief of Police subject to approval of the Council. The Chief of Police shall be responsible for the operation and management of the Town’s law enforcement personnel, and shall perform such other duties as this Charter may provide, as the Town Manager may assign, or as required by state law.
(a) 
There shall be such administrative departments as are established by this Charter and may be established by ordinance and excepting as otherwise provided in this Charter, these administrative departments shall be under the direction of the Town Manager. Council shall have the authority to establish administrative departments or offices not herein provided by this Charter. Council may discontinue, redesignate, or combine any of the administrative departments or offices.
(b) 
The head of each department shall be a chief, director, superintendent or coordinator who shall be appointed by the Town Manager, and such chief, director or superintendent or coordinator shall have supervision and control over that department. Two or more departments may be headed by the same individual, and the Town Manager may act as Town Secretary and may head one or more departments.