(A) A Utilities Superintendent shall be appointed in the event that there is more than one municipal utility and the Board of Trustees determines that it is in the best interest of the municipality to appoint one official to have the immediate control over all the municipal utilities. Any vacancy occurring in this office by death, resignation, or removal may be filled in the manner hereinbefore provided for the appointment of all municipal officials.
(B) The Utilities Superintendent’s duties over the following departments shall be as stated herein.
(1) Water Department. He or she shall have general supervision and control over the municipal water system and shall be primarily responsible for its economic operation and prudent management. Included in the water system shall be the water plant, the pump house, all machinery, and appliances used in connection with producing and distributing water to inhabitants of the municipality. All actions, decisions, and procedures of the Utilities Superintendent shall be subject to the general directives and control of the Board of Trustees. The Utilities Superintendent shall have the general control and supervisory authority over all employees of the water system which the Board of Trustees may from time to time hire to operate and maintain the system. Unless some other official is specifically designated, he or she shall collect all money received by the municipality on account of the system of waterworks and shall faithfully account for and pay over to the Municipal Treasurer all such money collected in the name of the municipality and receive a receipt from the Municipal Treasurer for the depository evidence of the faithful discharge of this duty. This receipt shall then be filed with the Municipal Clerk, and the second copy shall be kept by the Superintendent. He or she shall make a detailed report to the Board of Trustees at least once every six months of the condition of the water system, of all mains, pipes, hydrants, reservoirs, and machinery, and those improvements, repairs, and extensions thereof as he or she may think proper. The report shall show the amount of receipts and expenditures on account thereof for the preceding six months. No money shall be expended for improvements, repairs, or extensions of the waterworks system except upon the recommendation of the Superintendent. The Utilities Superintendent shall provide a bond conditioned upon the faithful discharge of duties which shall amount to not less than the amount set by resolution of the Board of Trustees and on file in the office of the Municipal Clerk. He or she shall perform those additional duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees.
(2) Sewer Department. The Utilities Superintendent shall have the immediate control and supervision over all the employees and property that make up the municipal sewer system, subject to the general control and directives of the Board of Trustees. He or she shall at least every six months make a detailed report to the Board of Trustees on the condition of the sewer system and shall direct its attention to those improvements, repairs, extensions, additions, and additional employees as he or she may believe are needed along with an estimate of the cost thereof. He or she shall have those other duties as the Board of Trustees may delegate. He or she shall issue permits for all connections to the municipal sewer system and inspect and supervise all repairs made to that system.
(3) Street Department. The Utilities Superintendent shall, subject to the orders and directives of the Board of Trustees, have general charge, direction, and control of all work on the streets, sidewalks, culverts, and bridges of the municipality and shall perform those other duties as the Board of Trustees may require. It shall be his or her responsibility to see that gutters and drains therein function properly and that the same are kept in good repair. He or she shall, at the request of the Board of Trustees, make a detailed report to the Board of Trustees on the condition of the streets, sidewalks, culverts, alleys, and bridges of the municipality and shall direct its attention to those improvements, repairs, extensions, additions, and additional employees as he or she may believe are needed to maintain a satisfactory street system in the municipality, along with an estimate of the cost thereof. He or she shall issue those permits and assume those other duties as the Board of Trustees may direct.
(1991 Code, § 1-210) (Ord. 2019-15, passed 6-27-2019)
Statutory reference:
Incentive payments to street superintendents, see Neb. RS 39-2512
Water Commissioner required, see Neb. RS 17-541