(A) Creation of the Office of City Administrator. The Office of City Administrator is hereby created.
(B) Appointment of City Administrator.
(1) The City Administrator shall be selected by a majority vote of the governing body. The City Administrator shall be chosen solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications with special reference to actual experience in, or knowledge of accepted practice in respect to the duties of the office hereinafter set forth.
(2) The term of the office may be for an indefinite period. At the time of appointment, the City Administrator need not be a resident of the city or the state, nor shall the City Administrator need to be a resident of the city during tenure of office. Any qualified person that is presently a department head may also be nominated to hold the position of City Administration.
(C) Removal of City Administrator. The City Administrator may be removed from office by the governing body under the Tex. Loc. Gov’t Code, § 22.077. The position of City Administrator may be eliminated at any time that a majority of the City Council votes to terminate the position.
(D) Power and duties of the City Administrator.
(1) The City Administrator shall be the administrative officer of the city. The City Administrator shall be responsible to the governing body of the city for the proper administration of all affairs of the city.
(2) To that end, the City Administrator shall be empowered and shall be required to:
(a) Prepare job descriptions for all officers and employees of the city, and fill budgeted positions on the city staff, other than department heads. Recommend to the Mayor and City Council the appointment of department heads and employees. The City Administrator shall be empowered to suspend department heads and recommend their termination to the Mayor and City Council. The City Administrator shall direct and supervise the day-to-day activities of all employees through department heads;
(b) Prepare the budget draft annually in conjunction with the heads of departments, and submit it to the governing body together with a message describing the important features and be responsible for the administration of the adopted body;
(c) Prepare and submit to the governing body with the assistance of the heads of departments at the end of the fiscal year a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the city for the preceding year;
(d) Keep the governing body advised of the financial condition and future needs of the city, and make such recommendations as may be deemed desirable. Make proposals for applications for federal grants and make required reports for such grants as may be applicable and desirable for city needs;
(e) Keep the governing body informed on a timely basis of the significant activities of the city with special emphasis on the expansion projects associated with the growth of the city;
(f) Recommend to the governing body a standard schedule of pay for each appointive office and position in the service, including minimum, intermediate and maximum rates;
(g) Recommend to the governing body adoption of such measures, ordinances and resolutions as may be deemed necessary or expedient for the health, safety or welfare of the community or for the improvement of administrative services;
(h) Attend all meetings of the governing body unless excused therefrom, and be prepared to answer questions that may be asked;
(i) Supervise the purchase of all materials, supplies and equipment for which funds are provided in the budget; purchase materials and supplies necessary for operation or maintenance of city services for amounts up to and including $1,000, and emergency purchases with the proper approval of the governing body to the extent funds have been provided in the budget. No purchase shall be made, contract let or obligation incurred for any line item or service which exceeds the current budget appropriation without a supplemental appropriation by the governing body. No contract over $1,000 shall be let except by the Mayor and the City Council. The City Administrator may issue such rules governing procedures for purchasing within the administrative organization as the governing body shall approve;
(j) See that all laws and ordinances are duly enforced and see that all franchises, permits and privileges granted by the city are faithfully observed;
(k) Investigate the affairs of the city, or any department or division thereof. Investigate all complaints in relation to matters concerning the administration of the governing of the city, and regarding service maintained by the public utilities in the city, and see that the quality of service be maintained by the Public Works Department; and
(l) Perform such other duties as may be required by the governing body not inconsistent with the law or ordinances of the city.
(E) Conflict of interest. The City Administrator shall hold no other public office. The Administrator shall not be employed by or affiliated with any business or organization doing business with the city in order to assure the duties and responsibilities of this office may be performed in a timely and responsible manner.
(F) Emergencies. In case of accident, disaster or other circumstance creating a public emergency, the City Administrator may award contracts and make purchases for the purpose of meeting the emergency, but the City Administrator shall file within 72 hours with the governing body a certificate showing the emergency and the necessity for that action, together with an itemized account of all expenditures.
(G) Bond. The City Administrator shall furnish a surety bond in an amount to be approved by the City Council, the bond to be conditioned on the faithful performance of duties. The premium of the bond shall be paid by the city.
(H) Vacancy. Any vacancy in the Office of City Administrator shall be filled at the pleasure of the City Council.
(Ord. 12-6-01C, passed 12-6-2001)