The Manager shall execute and deliver all contracts for the Municipality except franchises for public utility services. No contracts involving an expenditure of more than the minimum bidding amount provided for by the general law, or an expenditure out of the general fund in a fiscal year after the year in which such contract is executed, or an expenditure for expert or professional services, shall be made unless authorized by Council. No contract involving the expenditure of more than the minimum bidding amount provided for by the general law for the construction maintenance or repair of any public work or improvement by a private contractor shall be made except after advertisement and the receipt of bids in writing, unless in the case of an emergency which will not admit of delay, and in such case the Manager shall report the facts to Council at its next meeting. No contract except franchises for public utility services shall be made for a term longer than five years. All contracts shall be approved as to form by the Solicitor before they are executed by the Manager. All contracts involving the expenditure of funds by the Municipality shall be certified as to the existence of such funds by the Finance Director.