The office of city administrator of the city is established.
(Ordinance adopted 4/20/21)
(a) 
The city administrator shall have the duty and responsibility of the management of the day-to-day business affairs of the city and the supervision of all personnel which shall include hiring, firing, designation of duties and setting compensation. All expenditures must be contained within the total expenditures set forth in the annual budget as the same may be amended from time to time as permitted under state law.
(b) 
Notwithstanding the above, the council shall be solely responsible for the hiring, firing and compensation of the city administrator, chief of police, municipal court judge and city attorney.
(Ordinance adopted 4/20/21)
(a) 
Neither the council nor any of its committees or members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to, or his removal from, office by the city administrator or any of his or her subordinates.
(b) 
The council shall deal with the administrative service solely through the city administrator, and neither the city council nor any member thereof shall give any order or instruction to any subordinate of the city administrator, including appointed positions, either publicly or privately. Any subordinate so contacted shall so inform the city administrator immediately.
(Ordinance adopted 4/20/21)
Specific powers and duties of the city administrator shall be as follows:
(1) 
Except for those persons which are appointed by the city council in accordance with any law or ordinance of the city, appoint and remove all department heads with council confirmation, hire and fire city employees, and, in addition, promote, demote, discipline, and take any and all other personnel actions as deemed necessary according to state law and city personnel policies. Any officer or employee whom the city administrator may appoint may be removed by the city administrator at any time, and any such decision by the city administrator shall be final.
(2) 
Act as budget officer, [and] as such, prepare and submit to the city council, prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, a budget of the prepared [proposed] income and expenditures for the ensuing year.
(3) 
Keep the city council advised of the financial conditions and future needs of the city and make such recommendations as deemed advisable.
(4) 
Recommend to the city council the adoption of such measures as may be deemed necessary or expedient for the health, safety or welfare of the city or for the improvement of administrative services of the city to achieve greater cost effectiveness or program results.
(5) 
Assist the city council in applying for federal and state grants.
(6) 
Attend all meetings of the city council, unless excused therefrom, and take part in discussion of all matters coming before the council. He or she shall be entitled to receive notice of all regular and special meetings.
(7) 
See that all laws and ordinances are duly enforced.
(8) 
Enforce all personnel policies and rules, and advise the city council on personnel system improvements as needed.
(9) 
Designate a subordinate or subordinates to act in his stead for the purpose of signing any and all permits, including but not limited to electrical, mechanical, plumbing and building, city-issued licenses and reports required by state and federal entities.
(10) 
Such other duties as required by ordinance or law.
(Ordinance adopted 4/20/21)
(a) 
Notwithstanding anything in this division to the contrary, during any period of time when there is a vacancy in the office of the city administrator, the mayor with the consent of council, shall appoint another qualified person to act in the capacity as city administrator. If the person appointed is an elected official such appointment shall have no additional compensation over and above the compensation paid to the aldermen as an elected official and shall be considered to be additional duties of the officer authorized by the governing body under section 22.072(a) and conferred by the mayor under section 22.071(c) of the Texas Local Government Code. The appointment shall terminate upon the council’s designation of a new city administrator or at the end of the next regularly scheduled council meeting unless the appointment is extended by duly passed resolution.
(b) 
The hereafter enumerated powers prescribed to the office of city administrator are delegated to the acting city administrator and no others. Any power not expressly delegated to the acting city administrator is reserved to the city council. The powers delegated are:
(1) 
Subject to the limitations hereafter stated, to enforce all personnel policies and rules and the power to handle all routine personnel matters except the power to hire, fire, or change the compensation of an employee. The acting city administrator shall have the power to suspend any city employee with pay. In the event that any city employee is suspended by the acting city administrator, a special city council meeting shall be called as soon as practical to consider the reinstatement, reassignment, demotion, or suspension without pay or the termination of the employee.
(2) 
To keep the city council advised of the financial condition and future needs of the city and to make such recommendations as deemed advisable.
(3) 
To work directly with outside consultants in developing solutions to identified local service needs.
(4) 
To recommend to the city council the adoption of such measures as may be deemed necessary or expedient for the health, safety or welfare of the city, or for the improvement of administrative services of the city, and to achieve greater cost effectiveness or program results.
(5) 
To be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city, including the acquisition of any payment for those items previously authorized in the budget for the current fiscal year.
(6) 
To see that all laws and ordinances are duly enforced.
(Ordinance adopted 4/20/21)