(a) There shall be a City Attorney of the City, appointed or removed, by an affirmative vote of at least four-fifths (4/5) of the full Commission, who shall serve as chief legal advisor to the Commission, the City Manager and all City departments, office and agencies and who shall assure that the City is represented in all legal proceedings and perform any other duties prescribed by this Charter or by ordinance.
(b) Qualifications: The City Attorney shall have been admitted to practice in the State of Florida for four (4) years, with not less than two (2) of those years in the practice of law for municipal or county government.
(c) Duties: The City Attorney or his or her designee shall:
(1) Be notified of and shall attend all regular and special meetings of the City Commission.
(2) Act as the legal advisor to and counselor for the municipality, and all its officers in matters relating to their official duties.
(3) Prepare all contracts, bonds and other instruments in writing in which the municipality is concerned, and shall endorse on each his or her approval of the form and correctness thereof; and no contract with the municipality shall take effect until his or her approval is so endorsed thereon.
(4) Prosecute and defend, on behalf of the City, all complaints, suits, and controversies in which the City is a party unless otherwise instructed by the City Commission.
(5) When so requested, furnish the Commission, Mayor or City Manager, his or her opinion on any question of law involving their respective powers and duties.
(6) Perform such other professional duties as may be required by him/her by resolution of the Commission or as prescribed for the City Attorneys in general or special laws of the State, including any rules and regulations of the Florida Bar, which are not inconsistent with this Charter. The City Attorney is obliged to periodically and in a timely manner inform the Commission of the status of any pending litigation.
(7) The Commission shall determine the terms and conditions, and compensation of the City Attorney’s employment in a written contract.
(Adopted by electorate, 3-13-84; Amendment adopted by electorate, 9-1-98; Amendment adopted by electorate, 11-5-02; Amendment adopted by electorate, 11-7-06; Amendment adopted by electorate, 11-6-12)