[1]
Editor's note–Former division 4 pertaining to the city administrator, was amended by Ordinance 2024-12-1 adopted 12/17/2024. Prior to the amendment this division derived from the following: Ordinance of 12/10/1998; Ordinance of 2/12/2004.
There is hereby created the office of city administrator. The city administrator shall serve as the chief administrative officer of the city, responsible to the city council for the administration of city affairs as set forth herein.
(Ordinance 2024-12-1 adopted 12/17/2024)
The city administrator shall be appointed by the majority vote of the city council. The city administrator shall be chosen by the city council based on executive and administrative qualifications and abilities, including actual experience in or knowledge of accepted practices of municipal administration. To be eligible for appointment and continued employment, the city administrator need not reside within the city limits, but must live within a 25-mile radius of the city limits. No member of the city council shall be appointed to such office during his or her council term or within six months after the expiration of such term.
(Ordinance 2024-12-1 adopted 12/17/2024)
Except for the purpose of inquiry, the city council and its members shall deal with city affairs through the city administrator (or that in, as the case may be), and neither the city council nor any member thereof shall give orders to subordinates of the city administrator, either publicly or privately.
(Ordinance 2024-12-1 adopted 12/17/2024)
The city administrator shall receive such compensation and benefits as the city council may from time to time authorize. Upon appointment, the city administrator shall give bond in favor of the city in the amount and in such form as the city council may require, with sufficient security to be approved by the city council, conditioned that the city administrator will faithfully discharge his or her duties as administrator. Any such bond shall be valid and in force for the entire term of employment of the city administrator.
(Ordinance 2024-12-1 adopted 12/17/2024)
The city administrator shall exercise general management functions of the city as set forth herein. The city administrator shall be responsible to the city council for proper administration of city affairs. The city administrator shall have responsibility for and be required to:
(1) 
Direct and supervise the administration of all departments, office, and agencies of the city, including performing yearly personnel evaluations of city employees and personnel;
(2) 
Recommend revisions to the city's ordinances and codes, receive requests from citizens for new or revised ordinances, conduct or oversee research and make appropriate contacts regarding such requests, and present such requests or proposed revisions to the city council;
(3) 
At all times actively ensure that the laws and the ordinances of the city are properly carried out;
(4) 
Attend all city council meetings and take part in discussions, but shall not vote;
(5) 
Serve as the disaster coordinator of the city, charged with the preparation and if necessary implementation of a disaster services plan;
(6) 
Assist the budget officer with the preparation of a budget for submission to the city council, and execute the prepared budget upon its approval by the city council;
(7) 
Sign contracts and bonds upon approval by the city council;
(8) 
Recommend to the city council from time to time 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;
(9) 
Enforce all personnel policies and rules and advise the city council on other personnel system improvements as needed, as well as inspect the conduct of each subordinate municipal officer and cause any negligence, carelessness, or other violation of duty to be corrected in accordance with the terms of city personnel policies. The city administrator may recommend the appointment, suspension, or termination of any city employee to the city council, except that the city council shall retain personnel authority for department heads including chief of police, city secretary, internal auditor, and water superintendent. The city administrator may make recommendations to the city council regarding such department heads.
(10) 
Investigate the affairs of the city or any department or division thereof, investigate all complaints in relation to matters concerning the administration of the city and in regard to service maintained by the public utilities of the city, and see that all franchises, permits and privileges granted by the city are faithfully observed;
(11) 
Maintain within reason an "open door" policy with the citizens of the city by telephone, letter, or in person meeting;
(12) 
Promote and support local businesses;
(13) 
Meet with professionals employed by the city as needed, including but not limited to attorneys, engineers, and accountants;
(14) 
Work with the city's chief information officer, or serve as the city's chief information officer if so designated by the city council;
(15) 
Work with heads of city departments on matters requiring action or attention; and
(16) 
Perform other such duties as may be required by the city council, not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Texas, the United States, or ordinances of the city.
(Ordinance 2024-12-1 adopted 12/17/2024)
The city council hereby confers upon the city administrator the authority to contract for and make expenditures of the city, without further approval from the city council, for budgeted items or expenditures, subject to the city's expenditure policy. The city administrator may not contract for or make expenditures outside or in excess of the city budget. In case of accident, disaster or other circumstances creating a public emergency, the city administrator may award contracts and make purchases for the purpose of meeting said emergency; but shall file promptly with the city council a certificate showing such emergency and the necessity for each action, together with an itemized account of all such expenditures. All purchases and expenditures made hereunder shall conform to the requirements of the law of the state.
(Ordinance 2024-12-1 adopted 12/17/2024)
The person appointed to the position of city administrator shall comply with the provisions of the Constitution and statutes of the state applicable to the administration of city affairs, and with all ordinances, personnel policies, or other written policies of the city.
(Ordinance 2024-12-1 adopted 12/17/2024)
The city administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the city council and may be terminated at any time by simple majority vote.
(Ordinance 2024-12-1 adopted 12/17/2024)
Until such time as a city administrator is appointed, or in the event that the office of city administrator becomes vacant, the mayor shall exercise and fulfill the authority of the city administrator, unless the city council designates some other person to exercise and fulfill such authority.
(Ordinance 2024-12-1 adopted 12/17/2024)