There shall be a department of law, the head of which shall be the city attorney, who shall be appointed by the council and shall hold office at the pleasure of the council, but for no longer period at one time than two (2) years without reappointment. His salary shall be fixed by the council.
The city attorney shall be a regularly licensed attorney at law licensed to practice in the State of Texas and a resident citizen of the City of Monahans.
The city attorney shall be the chief legal adviser of the council, of all offices, departments and agencies and of all officers and employees in matters relating to their official powers and duties. He shall represent the city in all legal proceedings except as otherwise provided in this charter. It shall be his duty to perform all services incident to his position as may be required by statute, by this charter or by ordinance.
In the event of temporary absence or inability of the city attorney to serve, the council may employ temporarily a legal advisor with as good qualifications as required of the city attorney, and allow him the same compensation as allowable to the city attorney; and when in the judgment of the city council, legal questions or litigation of more than usual importance to the interests of the city and its citizens arise, making it advisable to employ special counsel to assist or to act in the place of the city attorney, then the council is authorized to employ such special counsel and to allow reasonable compensation for the services thereof, the amount of which to be agreed upon in advance, if practicable.