When established by the voters of the City,
the board shall assume responsibility for the operation, conduct and
efficiency of the Police or Fire Department, as the case may be, and
shall have power by resolution to:
A. Appoint all the personnel thereof necessary for the
operation of the Department; provided, however, that in the case of
the Police Department, the Police Chief, and of the Fire Department,
the Fire Chief shall be appointed as otherwise provided in this Act,
and as the appointing authority establish regulations and administer
the same governing personnel practices and policies including the
exercise of the power according to law to suspend, discharge, demote,
promote or discipline personnel.
B. Fix compensation as part of the annual budget of the
Department, which when adopted shall not thereafter be changed for
the balance of the fiscal year except as provided in this Act upon
recommendation to and after approval by resolution of the City Council.
C. Provide for the care and maintenance of all lands,
improvements, buildings, vehicles and other personalty entrusted to
the Department, but not for the acquisition, leasing or disposition
of real property or any right, title or interest therein except with
the consent and approval of the City Council.
D. Enter into contracts and agreements necessary for
the operation of the business of the Department and purchasing of
equipment and supplies, except as limited by ordinance requiring the
purchase and disposition of equipment and supplies of a character
not unique to the Department to be conducted through a central purchasing
agency for the City.
When established by the voters of the City,
the Board of Water Commissioners shall assume responsibility for the
operation, conduct and efficiency of the Water Department and shall
have power to:
A. Appoint, fix the compensation of and, in accordance
with law, to suspend, discharge and discipline all personnel thereof
necessary for the operation of the Department.
B. Appoint by resolution a Water Engineer for a term
of three years and prescribe his duties.
C. Provide for the care and maintenance of all lands,
improvements, buildings, vehicles and other personalty entrusted to
the Department.
D. Enter into contracts and agreements necessary for
the operation of the business of the Department and purchasing of
supplies and equipment.
E. Exercise custody, control and management of the waterworks
and water supply of the City, including the power and authority to
maintain, repair, equip and extend the waterworks and water supply
system of the City both within the City and outside the boundaries
thereof.
F. Establish and, from time to time, change the rates
to be charged for water supplied to the inhabitants of the City or
others and adopt and establish rules and regulations with respect
to the use and protection of the water supply and waterworks and determine,
where service to inhabitants of the City will not be impaired, the
terms, bases and extent that water may be sold or supplied to other
municipalities or to the residents thereof.
The Board of Water Commissioners shall have
use of real property needed for water reserve and water supply purposes.
No real property or interest therein shall be leased, sold or disposed
of or easement given or contract thereafter authorized for purposes
other than the operation of the waterworks or water supply system
unless the Board of Water Commissioners shall determine that the sale,
lease, easement or disposition can be made without impairing the operation
and function, present or anticipated, of the water supply and water
reserve system for the people of the City. No such lease, sale, disposition
or easement or contract therefor shall be authorized by the City Council
unless and until notice 30 days in advance thereof has been filed
in writing with the Secretary of the Board to afford opportunity by
the Board to make any appropriate determination and advise the City
Council thereof. Real property or interests therein acquired as part
of the water supply or water reserve system shall be held in the name
of the City, and such acquisition shall be made upon recommendation
of the Board of Water Commissioners and adoption of an ordinance concurring
therein by the City Council.