(a) This office shall be headed by a Town Manager, who shall be appointed by the Town Commission on the basis of his or her executive and administrative qualifications. The Town Manager shall be the Chief Administrative Officer of the Town, and shall be directly responsible to the Commission for all Town affairs placed in his or her charge by this Charter or by ordinance or resolution. The Town Manager when necessary shall appoint, suspend, demote or dismiss any Town employee under his or her jurisdiction in accordance with the law and the personnel rules, and may authorize any Department Head to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates in that department. The Town Manager shall direct and supervise the administration of all departments of the Town except the Offices Office of Town Clerk and Town Attorney, and shall attend all Commission meetings unless excused by the Commission, and shall have the right to take part in discussions, but not vote. He or she shall see that all laws, Charter provisions, ordinances, resolutions, and other acts of the Commission subject to enforcement by him or her are faithfully executed. The Town Manager shall also prepare and submit the annual budget, budget message, and capital program to the commission, and shall keep the Commission fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the Town, and shall be responsible for adhering to the approved budget. The Town Manager shall make such recommendations to the Commission concerning the affairs of the Town as he or she deems advisable. The Town Manager shall endorse all instruments in writing in which the Town is interested, sign Town checks as authorized by the Town Commission, and execute contracts on behalf of the Town, unless the Commission shall otherwise provide. The Town Manager shall by letter designate an Acting Town Manager to exercise his or her powers and perform his or her duties during temporary absences or disability of the Town Manager. The Commission may revoke such designation at any time and appoint another eligible person to serve as Acting Town Manager.
(b) Except for the purpose of inquiries and investigations, the Town Commission or its members shall not give orders or directions to any officer or employee of the Town who is under the direction and supervision of the Town Manager, and shall deal with such officers and employees only through the Town Manager.
(Amendment adopted by electorate 9-2-86; Amendment adopted by electorate 11-5-19)