(A) The presiding officer of the municipal court shall be the Presiding Magistrate, who shall be appointed by the Council for a minimum term of 2 years with the dates of the term to be set by contract. The Council may suspend, discipline or remove any city magistrate as follows:
(1) If the judge pleads guilty or no contest, or is found guilty, of a crime punishable as a felony under any laws of this state, another state, or a federal law, or of any other crime that involves moral turpitude under the laws of this state;
(2) If the judge has a disability that prevents the judge from performing the essential functions of the position;
(3) If the judge engages in actions constituting willful misconduct in office, willful and persistent failure to perform his or her duties, or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judiciary into disrepute; or
(4) If the judge is subjected to disciplinary action by the Arizona Supreme Court or State Bar of Arizona.
(B) The Presiding Magistrate shall be considered a non-career contract employee after being appointed and all other terms shall be negotiated and set forth in a written employment contract.
(C) The City Council shall appoint 1 or more full- and/or part-time magistrates for a term as the City Council deems necessary pursuant to this chapter. In the event of an absence or vacancy in the position of Presiding or Associate Magistrate, Council may appoint an interim magistrate who must meet all of the requirements as a city magistrate.
(Ord. 1400, passed 5-6-2014; Am. Ord. 1512, passed 9-21-2021)