The city shall have a city attorney who shall serve on a part-time basis or a full-time basis as follows:
(a) In the event the council elects to retain a city attorney to serve on a part-time basis, the council shall appoint and fix the compensation ofthe city attorney for a term of two (2) years, together with such assistant city attorneys as may be authorized by ordinance or resolution. The city attorney shall be responsible for representing and defending the city in all litigation in which the city is a party, shall attend all meetings of the council, shall advise the council, city manager, and other officers and employees of the city concerning legal aspects of the city's affairs, shall approve as to form and legality all contracts, deeds, bonds, ordinances, resolutions, motions, and other official documents, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the council or city manager.
(b) In the event the council elects to create a legal department directed by a full-time city attorney, the city attorney and such other employees as may be authorized by ordinance shall be appointed by the city manager, and shall be confirmed by the city council. The city attorney shall have control and supervision over all employees assigned to the legal department, subject to the supervision of the city manager. The city attorney shall be responsible for representing and defending the city in all litigation, or shall assist other attorneys that may represent the city in litigation in which the city is a party. The city attorney shall attend all meetings of the city council, shall advise the council, city manager, and other officers and employees of the city concerning legal aspects of the city's affairs, shall approve as to form and legality all contracts, deeds, bonds, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the council or city manager. [As replaced by Priv. Acts 2007, ch. 45 § 10]