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There shall be established and maintained a volunteer fire department for the prevention, as much as possible, of fires, and limiting the destruction, injury, or loss of property or life due to fires. The fire department may come to the aid of the city or any citizen who may be faced with a destructive crisis other than a fire. The fire department shall establish its own charter and bylaws. The members of the fire department shall elect their own officers as designated in the charter and bylaws of the fire department. All personnel employed by the fire department other than volunteers shall be appointed by the board of commissioners upon recommendation from the chief of the fire department and the city manager. Compensation of the fire department members and officers shall be fixed by the board of commissioners. In case of emergency, the fire department may go outside of the city limits and also may solicit the aid of fire departments of surrounding communities.
The board of commissioners shall appoint a competent and duly licensed attorney practicing law in Hidalgo County, Texas, who shall be the city attorney. He shall receive for his services such compensation as may be fixed by the board of commissioners and shall hold his office at the pleasure of the board of commissioners. The city attorney or such other attorney selected by him with the approval of the board of commissioners, shall represent the city in all litigation. He shall be the legal advisor of and counsel for, the city of Alamo and all officers and departments thereof.
There shall be established and maintained a court designated as municipal court for the trial of misdemeanor offenses, with all such powers as are now or hereafter may be prescribed by laws of the state of Texas relative to municipal or corporation courts.
At the November uniform election date and each four (4) years thereafter there shall be elected a judge of the municipal court whose term of office shall be for four (4) years. The judge of the municipal court shall possess the same qualifications of the office as provided in this charter for the mayor and commissioners and as specified in article II, section 3. The judge of the municipal court shall serve until a successor is elected and qualified. The same election rules that apply to the board of commissioners shall apply to the election of judge of municipal court, however when a vacancy exists by reason of resignation, death, disability, or otherwise, the same shall be filled by appointment of the board of commissioners for the unexpired term.
The salary of the judge of the municipal court shall be set by the board of commissioners at least sixty (60) days before and not more than ninety (90) days before the election and the salary shall remain the same during the term of office until reconsideration by the board of commissioners at least sixty (60) days and not more than ninety (90) days before the next succeeding election. The municipal court judge shall submit monthly financial reports to the city commissioners. (Amended Election 1-18-1992; Election 11-3-2009)
The board of commissioners shall appoint a clerk of the municipal court to serve at the pleasure of the board of commissioners. The city secretary may be appointed clerk of the municipal court and he/she may be authorized to serve in the capacity either in person or by deputy. Such clerk of the corporation court shall receive such compensation as may be set by the board of commissioners.
The board of commissioners shall appoint a planning and zoning commission composed of seven (7) members. The board of commissioners shall provide for a manner of appointment and term of offices as set by ordinance. The planning and zoning commission's functions, duties, responsibilities and powers shall be established by ordinance pursuant to the Local Government Code and other applicable state law. Each member of the planning and zoning commission shall be a resident of the city of Alamo. (Added Election 1-18-1992)