(A) Office created. For the purpose of providing for the centralization of administrative responsibilities, there is hereby created and established the office of City Administrator. The City Administrator will be appointed by the Mayor and a majority of the elected members of the Council. The Mayor and Council shall determine all municipal policies, adopt ordinances, and resolutions, and vote all appropriations. The Mayor and Council are the governing body of the city, and the City Administrator is its agent in carrying out the policies and directions which the Mayor and Council shall determine. The City Administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and Council and may be removed at any time by the Mayor and a majority of the elected members of the Council.
(B) Responsibilities and duties. The City Administrator shall be responsible to the Mayor and Council for the efficient administration of all departments and affairs of the city which are under the Mayor and Council’s control. The City Administrator shall work within the policies set forth by the Mayor and Council. The City Administrator shall be the administrative head of the city government under the direction and control of the Mayor and Council. In addition to his or her general authority as administrative head, and not as a limitation thereon, it shall be the duty of the City Administrator, and he or she shall have the following duties and powers:
(1) Take charge of and direct the operations of all city departments; administer, supervise, be responsible for and coordinate all departments, divisions, and services of the city government which are under the control and jurisdiction of the Mayor and City Council, as provided by law, specifically including civil service laws; provided, however, the office of City Physician shall not come under the administration and supervision or be the responsibility of the Administrator, although the Administrator shall be available to and shall assist the office in any administrative matter that may arise, and the office shall be available to and shall assist the Administrator in the discharge of the duties, responsibilities and powers of the Administrator as set forth in this section;
(2) Recommend to the Mayor and Council appointments to, and dismissals from, the offices of City Treasurer, City Clerk, City Engineer, and City Attorney as provided in Neb. RS 16-308;
(3) Employ, discipline, transfer, and remove all subordinate, non-elected employees of the city including all department heads with the exception of those positions identified in division (B)(2) above, in concurrence with the classification and pay plan as adopted by the Mayor and Council;
(4) Recommend to the Mayor and Council for the adoption such measures and ordinances as are deemed necessary or expedient;
(5) Prepare and submit to the Mayor and Council the annual city budget; and after its adoption, he or she is responsible for the execution and administration of the budget; he or she will also act as the purchasing agent for the city for the purchase of all material and supplies;
(6) Keep the Mayor and Council, at all times, fully advised as to the financial conditions and needs of the city;
(7) Make investigations into the affairs of the city and any department or division thereof, and any contact, or the proper performance of any obligation running to the city;
(8) Exercise general supervision and control over all real and personal property and other public property under the control and jurisdiction of the Mayor and City Council;
(9) Prepare and submit to the Mayor and Council at the end of the fiscal year a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the city for the preceding year;
(10) Serve in any appointed office or head of department within the city government to which he or she may be qualified, if the need arises and when appointed thereto by the Mayor and Council and to hold and perform the duties thereof at the pleasure of the Mayor and City Council;
(11) Attend all regularly scheduled meetings of the City Council and such other meetings of the City Council and city departments, divisions, service, boards, commissions, committees, and officers as the Administrator’s duties may require; to report at such meetings any matter concerning city affairs within the jurisdiction and under the control of the Administrator, and to recommend to the Mayor and City Council for passage and adoption such measures, resolutions, and ordinances which may be deemed necessary or expedient;
(12) Serve as public relations officer of the city government; to endeavor to investigate and adjust all complaints made or filed against the city government or against any department, division, service, officer, or employee thereof; and to cooperate with all community organizations whose aim and purpose is to advance the best interest of the city and its citizens;
(13) Properly manage the affairs of the city and any department, division, or service thereof and any contract or obligation running to the city; and
(14) Perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as may be delegated to the Administrator from time to time by ordinance or resolution; and to delegate any duty, responsibility, or power set forth herein upon approval of the Mayor and City Council by proper ordinance.
(C) Mayor and Council; rights and duties.
(1) The Mayor and Council (body) reserve the right to make inquiries of city personnel relative to municipal activities.
(2) The Mayor and Council (individual members) shall deal with the administrative service through the office of the City Administrator and any direction to municipal officials shall be given through the office of the City Administrator. The Mayor and individual members of the Council may require reports from the office of the City Administrator on any municipal activity.
(D) Residency required. The City Administrator must reside within the corporate limits of the city.
(Prior Code, § 31.08) (Ord. 1495, passed 2-8-1993; Ord. 1644, passed 9-27-1999)