(a) 
Creation of departments.
The City Council may establish City departments, offices, or agencies in addition to those created by this Charter and may prescribe the functions of all departments, offices, and agencies. No function assigned by this Charter to a particular department, office, or agency may be discontinued or assigned to any other unless this Charter specifically so provides.
(b) 
Direction by city manager.
All departments, offices, and agencies under the direction and supervision of the City Manager shall be administered by a director appointed by and subject to the direction and supervision of the City Manager. With the consent of Council, the City Manager may serve as the head of one or more such departments, offices, or agencies or may appoint one person as the head of two (2) or more of them.
(c) 
Organization.
The work, duties, responsibilities, and organization of each department may be established by ordinance not inconsistent with this Charter; provided that no such ordinance shall be adopted until the City Manager has an opportunity to make recommendations with respect thereto. The City Manager may establish divisions or sections in any department and not inconsistent with this Charter, establish or modify the duties and responsibilities of the departments.
(Ordinance 2024-O-045 adopted 11/18/2024)
(a) 
Merit principle.
All appointments and promotions of City officers and employees shall be made solely on the basis of merit and fitness demonstrated by a valid and reliable examination or other evidence of competence.
(b) 
Merit system.
Consistent with all applicable federal and state laws, the City Council shall provide by ordinance for the establishment, regulation, and maintenance of a merit system governing personnel policies necessary to the effective administration of the employees of the City's departments, offices, and agencies, including but not limited to classification and pay plans, examinations, force reduction, removals, working conditions, provisional and exempt appointments, in-service training, grievances and relationships with employee organizations.
(Ordinance 2024-O-045 adopted 11/18/2024)
The City Council by a majority vote of its total membership shall appoint a City Manager. The City Manager shall be appointed solely based on qualifications and experience in the accepted competencies and practices of local government management. The City Manager shall receive compensation as may be established by the City Council according to qualifications, experience, and training. Any residency requirements for the City Manager shall be as determined by the City Council. The position of Manager is hereby established as that of a municipal officer of the City. The City Council may suspend or remove the City Manager at its discretion.
(Ordinance 2024-O-045 adopted 11/18/2024)
The City Manager shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the City, responsible to the Council for the management of all City affairs placed in the Manager's charge by or under this Charter. The City Manager shall:
(1) 
Appoint, suspend, or remove all City employees and appointive administrative officers provided for by or under this Charter, except as otherwise provided by law, this Charter, or personnel rules adopted pursuant to this Charter. The City Manager may authorize any administrative officer or department head, subject to the Manager's direction and supervision to exercise these powers in relation to employees in that officer's department, office, or agency;
(2) 
Direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the City, except as otherwise provided by this Charter or by law;
(3) 
Attend all City Council meetings, unless excused by Council. The City Manager shall have the right to take part in discussion but shall not vote;
(4) 
See that all laws, provisions of this Charter, ordinances, resolutions, and acts of the City Council, subject to enforcement by the City Manager or by officers subject to the Manager's direction and supervision, are faithfully executed;
(5) 
Prepare and submit the annual budget and capital programs to the City Council, and implement the final budget approved by Council to achieve the goals of the City;
(6) 
Submit to the City Council and make available and accessible to the public a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the City as of the end of each fiscal year and provide information needed by the Council for its annual evaluation of performance;
(7) 
Make available and accessible such other reports as the City Council may require concerning operations;
(8) 
Keep the City Council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the City;
(9) 
Make recommendations to the City Council concerning the affairs of the City and facilitate the work of the City Council in developing policy;
(10) 
Provide staff support services for the Mayor and Councilmembers;
(11) 
Assist the Council to develop long-term goals for the City and strategies to implement these goals;
(12) 
Encourage and provide staff support for partnerships with community organizations and for regional and intergovernmental cooperation and equitable programming;
(13) 
Promote partnerships among Council, staff, and community members in developing public policy and building a sense of community; and
(14) 
Any other duty or responsibility as assigned by City Council.
(Ordinance 2024-O-045 adopted 11/18/2024)
The City Council shall appoint a duly licensed attorney practicing municipal law with relevant experience in the State of Texas, to be evaluated by City Council, who shall be the City Attorney. The City Council may also appoint a law firm to act as City Attorney. When a law firm is hired as City Attorney, the firm must designate an attorney to act as the City Attorney for purposes of any requirement in law. The City Attorney shall be the chief legal officer of the City and shall represent the City in all legal matters. The City Attorney shall be the legal advisor and attorney for the Council, its directors, officers, and all of its Departments, Boards, and Commissions in all matters involving City business. The City Attorney may employ consultants on legal matters as necessary and may employ outside legal counsel subject to ratification by the Council. The City Attorney shall serve until removed from office by the Council.
(Ordinance 2024-O-045 adopted 11/18/2024)
The City Council shall appoint a City Secretary. The position shall be appointed and removed at the discretion of the City Council. The City Secretary may appoint Deputy City Secretaries as may be needed and authorized by City Council.
(Ordinance 2024-O-045 adopted 11/18/2024)
The City Secretary shall perform the following duties for the City Council:
(1) 
Attend each meeting of the City Council, unless excused by Council, and keep accurate minutes of the City Council's proceedings;
(2) 
Engross and enroll all laws, resolutions, and ordinances of the City;
(3) 
Keep and maintain the City's corporate seal;
(4) 
Take charge of, arrange, and maintain the records of the City Council;
(5) 
Prepare all notices required under any regulation or ordinance of the City;
(6) 
Notify the state judicial council of the name of each person who is elected or appointed as Mayor;
(7) 
Keep all contracts made by the City;
(8) 
Supervise all Deputy City Secretaries, Deputy City Clerks, and other office staff as determined by the City Council;
(9) 
Coordinate all elections;
(10) 
Provide support to all boards and commissions of the City as directed by the City Council; and
(11) 
Perform all other duties required by law, ordinance, resolution, or order of the Mayor or City Council.
(Ordinance 2024-O-045 adopted 11/18/2024)
(a) 
There is hereby created the "Municipal Court of Record in the City of Liberty Hill, Texas" for the process and trial of misdemeanor offenses, with all such powers and duties as prescribed by the laws of the State of Texas. The Municipal Court of Record shall be comprised of as many divisions as the City Council deems necessary. The City Council shall adopt ordinances for the procedures and regulations of the Court.
(b) 
The City Council shall appoint the Presiding Municipal Judge and any Associate Judges. The judges shall have a current license to practice law in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
(c) 
There shall be a Court Clerk/Administrator of said court appointed by the City Manager.
(d) 
All costs, fees, special expenses, and fines imposed and collected by the Municipal Court shall be paid into the City Treasury for the use and benefit of the City except as otherwise required by state law.
(Ordinance 2024-O-045 adopted 11/18/2024)
(a) 
Department(s).
The City Council may establish and maintain one or more departments, for example, fire and/or police, to maintain law and order within the City and to protect the citizens from violence and threats of violence and to protect property from damage or loss.
(b) 
Department head(s).
The City Manager shall appoint, subject to approval by the Council, a department head for each department who shall be fully responsible to the City Manager for administration of their department. Such department head(s) shall be selected based upon training, knowledge, experience, certification, and demonstrated ability in providing for public safety, shall be appointed for an indefinite term, and shall establish and maintain written policies including, but not limited to departmental operations, disciplinary procedures, general order, job descriptions, and dress code.
(c) 
Special police.
No person, except as authorized by general law, by this Charter or by the ordinances passed pursuant hereto, shall act as special police or special detective.
(Ordinance 2024-O-045 adopted 11/18/2024)
There shall be a Public Works Department to administer, supervise, and coordinate the construction and maintenance of the streets and thoroughfares, the water system, the sewer system, the wastewater system, the drainage system, and all public property and equipment not the responsibility of another department. The department shall have and be responsible for other duties, projects, and works as provided by ordinance or assigned by the City Manager. The Director of Public Works shall administer and manage the department.
(Ordinance 2024-O-045 adopted 11/18/2024)