(a)
Creation of office.
There is hereby created a new 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.
(b)
Appointment.
The city administrator shall be appointed
by a majority vote of the city council. The city administrator shall
remain a resident of the city during the term of office.
(c)
Removal.
After completion of a 90-day probation period
and during the first year the city council may remove the city administrator
at any time by majority vote of the city council. Any extension of
the agreement shall require the vote of at least four (4) of its members
for removal. If requested, the city council shall grant a public hearing
within thirty (30) days following notice of removal. During the interim,
the city council may suspend the city administrator from duty, but
shall continue salary and benefits until said removal becomes final.
In the event of such removal, he/she shall be paid any accumulated
and unused vacation time.
(d)
Powers and duties.
The city administrator shall exercise
the general management functions of the city. The city administrator
may head one or more departments of the city and shall be responsible
to the city council for the proper administration of all affairs of
the city. To that end, the city administrator is delegated the following
duties and powers:
(1)
Appoint, suspend or terminate any city employee except for the city
judge, city attorney, city secretary, city engineer, chief of police
or public works director. Direct and supervise the administration
of all departments, offices and agencies of the city.
(2)
Maintain in proper order the city’s ordinances and codes and
recommend revisions necessary to keep them current with state law
and the desire of the city council.
(3)
Assist the mayor in his duty to see that all state laws and city
ordinances are effectively enforced.
(4)
Assist the city council in applying for federal and state grants.
(5)
Attend all city council meetings and have the right to take part
in discussions, but shall not vote.
(6)
Serve and assist the mayor or such other city officer appointed as
the disaster coordinator of the city, and recommend the preparation
of the city’s disaster services plan.
(7)
Serve as the floodplain administrator.
(8)
Assist the mayor in the preparation of the mayor’s proposed
annual budget.
(9)
Prepare the proposed annual budget for the mayor’s approval
and submission to the city council.
(10)
Keep the city council advised as to the financial condition and future
needs of the city, and make such recommendations concerning the affairs
of the city as deemed desirable or necessary.
(11)
Work directly with outside consultants in developing solutions to
identify local service needs.
(12)
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.
(13)
Be responsible for the purchasing of day-to-day materials and needs
through a purchase order system limited by the budget. All contracts
between the city and third parties must be approved by the city council.
(14)
Enforce all personnel policies and rules, and advise the city council
on other personnel system improvements as needed.
(15)
Investigate the affairs of the city or any department or division
thereof. Investigate all complaints in relation to matters concerning
the administration of the government of the city and in regard to
service maintained by the public utilities in the city, and see that
all franchises, permits and privileges granted by the city are faithfully
observed.
(16)
Perform such other duties as may be required by the city council,
not inconsistent with the laws of the state or the United States or
ordinances of the city.
(e)
Authority to purchase.
(1)
The city council hereby confers upon the city administrator authority
to contract for expenditures for the city, without further approval
from the city council, for all recurring budgeted items and specific
budgeted expenditures. Authority is delegated to the city administrator
for any purchases up to $10,000.00 within a budget line item that
was not specified in the budget. Any purchases for greater than $10,000.00
and less than $25,000.00 within a budget line item that was not specified
in the budget will require joint signature with the mayor. Unspecified
individual purchases greater than $25,000.00 will require city council
approval.
(2)
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 such action, together with an itemized account of all
such expenditures.
(f)
City council to deal with city administrator.
Except
for the purpose of inquiry, the city council and its members shall
deal with city affairs through the city administrator, and neither
the city council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates
of the city administrator, either publicly or privately.
(g)
Emergencies.
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 such action, together
with an itemized account of all such expenditures. All expenditures
made hereunder shall conform to the requirements of the laws of the
state.
(h)
Bond.
The city administrator shall be qualified to obtain
and maintain bonding for the faithful performance of his/her duties.
If required by the city council the premium of the bond shall be paid
by the city.
(i)
Compensation and benefits.
The city administrator shall
receive such compensation and benefits as the city council shall fix.
(Ordinance 921 adopted 3/20/07; Ordinance 972 adopted 5/19/09)