The Commission shall appoint a Manager for an indefinite term
and shall fix the Manager’s compensation. The Manager shall
be appointed solely on the basis of demonstrated executive and administrative
qualifications. The Manager need not be a resident of the Municipality
at the time of appointment, but may not reside outside the Municipality
while in office except with the approval of the Commission.
The Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the
Municipality. The Manager shall be responsible to the Commission for
the administration of all municipal affairs assigned by or under this
Charter. The Manager shall have the following powers and duties:
1) To appoint,
suspend or remove all municipal employees, except as otherwise provided
by law or this Charter and except that department directors shall
be hired or discharged with the advice and consent of the Commission.
The Manager may authorize any administrative officer who is subject
to the Manager’s direction and supervision to exercise these
powers with respect to subordinates in that officer’s department,
office or agency.
2) To direct
and supervise the administration of all departments, offices and agencies,
except the Treasurer’s department and except as otherwise provided
by this Charter or by law.
3) To make
such reports as the Commission may require concerning the operations
of municipal departments, offices and agencies subject to the Manager’s
direction and supervision.
4) To prepare
and submit the annual operating budget and capital budget to the Commission.
5) To submit
to the Commission and make available to the public a complete written
report on the finances and administrative activities of the Municipality
as of the end of each fiscal year.
6) To subject to such limitations or policies as the Commission may by ordinance or resolution establish, generally superintend and manage all of the day-to-day fiscal affairs of the Municipality except those entrusted to the Treasurer under Article
IV of this Charter. The Manager’s powers in this regard shall include, but not be limited to the placement of municipal funds in such lawful investments as the Manager may choose. The Manager shall make certain that no money is paid out unless the same shall have been previously appropriated by the Commission to the purpose for which it is to be paid. The Manager shall continually examine, review and settle all accounts in which the Municipality is concerned, either as debtor or creditor, where provisions for the settlement thereof have been made by the Commission. Where no provisions, or an insufficient provision, has been made, the Manager shall examine such accounts and report to the Commission the facts relating thereto, with an opinion thereon. On the basis of a continuing examination and review, the Manager shall prepare and present to the Commission such written reports and financial statements as the Commission shall require.
7) To keep
the Commission fully advised as to the financial condition and future
needs of the Municipality and make such recommendations to the Commission
concerning the fiscal and all other affairs of the Municipality as
is deemed desirable.
8) To be
Secretary of the Municipality and cause appropriate records to be
made, preserved and certified, as required by law or other action
of Commission. To attest the execution of all instruments and record
all ordinances; to have custody of the municipal corporate seal, and
to appoint an Assistant Secretary to serve as Secretary in the event
of the Manager’s absence.
9) To attend
all Commission meetings. The Manager shall have the right to take
part in discussions, but shall not vote.
10) To,
where authorized, acknowledge and execute documents on behalf of the
Municipality. In addition, the Manager shall sign all properly presented
papers, contracts, obligations and documents.
11) To
preserve order in the Municipality.
12) To
enforce the ordinances and regulations of the Municipality.
13) To
represent the Municipality in deliberations with other governmental
bodies.
14) To
perform such other duties as are specified in this Charter or as may
be required by the Commission.
The Commission may remove the Manager at any time with or without
cause.
The Manager may designate, in writing, an employee of the Municipality
to exercise the duties of the Manager during a temporary absence or
disability, subject to approval of the Commission. During such absence
or disability, the Commission may revoke such designation at any time
and appoint another officer of the Municipality to serve until the
Manager shall return or the disability shall cease.