(a) 
There shall be a city manager. The council shall appoint him for an indefinite term by a vote of a majority of all its members. It shall choose him solely on the basis of his executive and administrative qualifications. At the time of his appointment, he need not be a resident of the city or state; but, during his tenure of office, he shall reside within the city. Neither the mayor nor any other councilman may be appointed city manager or acting city manager during his term nor within two years after the expiration of his term.
(b) 
The council may suspend or remove the city manager at any time by a vote of a majority of all its members; provided, that the council shall give him a written statement of the reason for the proposed removal at least one month before removal, and on request shall give him an opportunity for a public hearing thereon at or after the expiration of such time before removing him. The decision of the council shall be final.
By letter filed with the city secretary, the city manager may designate, subject to council approval, a qualified city administrative officer to be acting city manager during his temporary absences or disabilities. The council may revoke such designation at any time and appoint another person acting city manager to serve during such times; and if the city manager fails to make such designation, the council may appoint an acting city manager to serve during such times. The council may remove an acting city manager at any time.
The city manager shall be chief administrative officer and head of the administrative branch of the city government. He shall execute the laws and ordinances and administer the government of the city, and shall be responsible therefor to the council. He shall:
(1) 
Appoint, and when deemed necessary for the good of the service, lay off, suspend, demote, or remove all directors, or heads, of administrative departments and all other administrative officers and employees of the city except as he may authorize the head of a department, an officer, or an agency to appoint, lay off, suspend, demote, and remove subordinates in such department, office, or agency.
(2) 
Supervise and control, directly or indirectly, all administrative departments, agencies, officers, and employees.
(3) 
Prepare a budget annually and submit it to the council, be responsible for the administration of the budget after it goes into effect, and recommend to the council any changes in the budget which he deems desirable.
(4) 
Submit to the council a report as of the end of the fiscal year on the finances and administrative activities of the city for the preceding year.
(5) 
Keep the council advised of the financial condition and future needs of the city, and make such recommendations to the council on matters of policy and other matters as may seem to him desirable.
(6) 
Have such other powers and duties as this charter prescribes, and such powers and duties consistent with this charter as the council may prescribe.
There shall be a department of finance headed by a city treasurer, a department of taxation headed by a city assessor and collector, and such other administrative departments, offices, and agencies as the council may establish.