The general manager of the water department shall be the administrative authority of the city insofar as the water department is concerned. He shall be ex officio the secretary and treasurer of the water board, and shall devote all of his time to his official duties. He shall be responsible to the board for the proper and efficient administration of the water department, and to that end he shall have power and shall be required to:
(1) Appoint and, when he deems it necessary or advisable, remove all employees of the water department, except as he may authorize such appointment and removal by his subordinates.
(2) Prepare the annual budget of the water department, submit it to the board for adoption, and be responsible for its administration after adoption.
(3) Prepare and submit to the board as of the end of each fiscal year a complete report on the finances and the administration of the department for the preceding year.
(4) Advise the board with respect to future plans and physical needs of the water department, and keep it informed concerning the current financial condition of the department.
(5) Enforce, or cause the enforcement of, all city ordinances and all laws of the state applicable to the water system, and of all rules and regulations of the water board.
(6) Prepare and cause to be served all notices required to be given to any person, firm or corporation in connection with any activity or business of the water board, and after the proper service and return of any notice he shall file and preserve the same.
(7) Collect all revenues of the water department, deposit them in the bank or banks designated by the water board, and disburse them upon such requisition or order as the board may prescribe.
(8) Supervise the purchase, storage and distribution of all equipment and supplies for the water department.
(9) Make and keep up to date, and place on file for public information at the office of the water board, complete maps, plans and details showing the dams, pumping stations, reservoirs, tanks, pipes, valves, connections, water lines, fire hydrants, and all other data necessary to show all the physical properties of the water department.
(10) Attend all meetings of the water board, give notice of its meetings, keep the journal of its proceedings, and keep or cause to be kept full and accurate record books and books of account covering all the business and transaction of the water department, all of which shall be available for public inspection.
(11) Execute on behalf of the water board all legal and other written documents requiring execution by the chief executive officer of the board, acknowledge the same if necessary, and perform all other acts and duties required of the chief executive officer of the board.
(12) Perform such other duties as may be required of him by this charter, by general law, or by order of the board not inconsistent with this charter or with general law.
The general manager may by letter filed with the president of the board designate one of his subordinates to perform the duties of the general manager during his temporary absence or disability. If the manager fails to make such designation, the board may by resolution appoint an employee of the water department to act for the manager during his absence or disability.