(A) Office created. There is created the office of the City Administrator for the city; such officer shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the consent of the City Council. A City Administrator may be removed at the pleasure of the Mayor. The Administrator shall be appointed on a basis of merit alone and the Administrator shall devote his or her full time to the diligent prosecution of the office and shall have no other conflicting or distracting employment.
(B) Purpose of office. The purpose of the office of the City Administrator is to provide the centralization of the administrative responsibilities of the city, such Administrator to be the administrative head of city government under the direction and control of the Mayor and Council, the City Administrator being responsible thereto for the efficient conduct of the office.
(C) Duties. The duties of the City Administrator shall be established by the Mayor and City Council and shall, include, but not be limited to, the following.
(1) The City Administrator shall make and keep an up-to-date an inventory of all property, real and personal, owned by the city. The City Administrator shall further act as purchasing agent for the purchase of all supplies, goods, wares and merchandise, material and equipment which may be required for the various departments, divisions or services of the city.
(2) The City Administrator shall keep the Mayor and Council fully advised as to the financial condition of the city and its needs. The City Administrator shall be ultimately responsible for the preparation of the annual estimate of revenues and expenditures, together with the proposed budget for presentation to the Mayor and Council prior to consideration and adoption. When a budget has been adopted and an appropriation ordinance passed, the City Administrator shall be responsible for the control of budgeted expenditures.
(3) The City Administrator shall serve as the public relations officer of city government and, in such capacity, shall investigate and adjust all complaints filed against any employee, department, division or service of the city and cooperate with all community organizations whose aim and purpose is to advance the best interests of the city and its people, and shall attend meetings of such organizations, if, such attendance is deemed necessary and desirable. These public relation responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, issuing press releases, public appearances and representing the city with citizens, community groups and representatives of these organizations.
(4) The City Administrator shall attend all meetings of the Mayor and Council, with the duty of reporting any matter concerning city affairs under the supervision or direction of the City Administrator. Further, the City Administrator shall attend all meetings of the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Housing Authority and Board of Public Works, together with any other meetings of city departments, divisions and services of city government and all employees, to make recommendations to the Mayor and Council. The City Administrator shall faithfully carry out directives and recommendations of the Mayor and Council in coordinating the administrative functions and operations of the various departments.
(5) The City Administrator shall procure facts and submit proposals for long range programs and improvements to the Mayor and Council including the administration of updating of the city’s comprehensive development plan. In this regard, the City Administrator shall make recommendations to the Mayor and Council in any matter believed to be necessary and expedient.
(6) The City Administrator shall recommend to the Mayor and Council the appointment and/or dismissal of any department heads over which the City Administrator exercises jurisdiction. Appointment and dismissal of said department heads will be made upon the recommendation of the Mayor as confirmed by the city council. The City Administrator may appoint and dismiss all subordinate employees of the city, as well as provide the transfers of such employees from one department to another; except that, he or she shall not discharge those employees covered under the civil service act of the state. The City Administrator shall have the duty and right to investigate and make recommendations to the Mayor and Council regarding activities of any employee of the city covered by the Civil Service Act of the state, including the filling of vacant positions. In all of these responsibilities in regard to subordinate employees, the City Administrator will give the deference to the considerations of the appropriate department head.
(7) The City Administrator shall administer and be responsible for all departments and divisions of city government which are under the direction of the Mayor and Council, including, but not limited to, the Water and Sanitation Department, the Electrical Department, the Street, Park and Recreation Department, the office of the City Clerk-Treasurer, the office of the Building Inspector, the Library Department, the Housing Authority and the Police and Fire Departments, except as insofar as such jurisdiction and administration conflicts with the civil service law pertaining to Police and Fire Departments.
(8) The City Administrator shall prepare and recommend to the Mayor and Council a classification and compensation plan, keeping and maintaining appropriate records of the employment status of each employee of the city.
(9) (a) The City Administrator shall see to the fair and impartial enforcement of ordinances of the city and the faithful performance of any contract or obligation in regard to the operation of the city.
(b) In this capacity, the City Administrator will work with the duly Appointed City Attorney on all legal matters affecting the operation and administration of city government.
(10) The City Administrator shall exercise general supervision over all public buildings, streets and other properties which are under control and jurisdiction of the Mayor and Council.
(11) The City Administrator shall be responsible for the preparation and submission to the Mayor and Council at the end of each month and of the fiscal year of a complete financial report for the city and the appropriate filing thereof.
(12) The City Administrator shall work with all city department heads in determining strategic and economic forecasts for the city through the prioritized projects and activities, development and installation of work procedures and policies, costs control and preparing for the city’s long and short term improvement plans and recommendations.
(13) The City Administrator shall, at the request of the Mayor and Council, conduct performance evaluations for department heads and any other employees of the city, making recommendations on appropriate actions in relation to said evaluations.
(14) The City Administrator shall coordinate a variety of personnel activities including, but not limited to, the application of personnel policy language, selection procedures, position classification systems, salary administration, a performance evaluation system, review of disciplinary acts and the management of the city’s risk management programs.
(15) The City Administrator shall coordinate and provide input in regard to activities promoting economic development within the city, in conjunction with the Cozad Development Corporation, including the preparation and administration of grants and intergovernmental funding activities.
(16) The City Administrator shall perform such other duties and responsibilities and exercise such other powers, as may be delegated by the Mayor and Council.
(D) Compensation. The salary of the City Administrator shall be fixed by resolution of the Mayor and Council, and shall be payable in the same manner as other city employees.
(1976 Code, § 1-224) (Ord. 1320, passed 9-8-2003; Ord. 1472, passed 8-7-2017)