(A) Establishment and Purpose. There is hereby established the office of City Administrator. The purpose of the office of City Administrator is to provide for the centralization of the administrative responsibilities of all affairs of the City which are under the direction of the Mayor and City Council.
(B) Appointment and Responsibilities.
(1) The City Administrator shall be the non-elected administrative head of the City government under the direction and control of the Mayor and City Council. The City Administrator shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the majority of the members of the City Council.
(2) The City Administrator may be removed at any time upon notice given by the Mayor with the approval of a majority of the members of the City Council or pursuant to the terms of any applicable contract for services. The City Administrator may be removed without approval of the Mayor upon a unanimous vote of the total membership of the Council. Notification of termination and severance pay are pursuant to any applicable contract for services.
(3) All of the Departments of the City shall be under the administrative supervision and direction of the City Administrator. Except for the purposes of inquiry, the Mayor and City Council shall deal with the administrative services of the City through the City Administrator.
(4) The City Administrator shall direct the affairs of the City to include planning, directing, and coordinating the personnel matters of all City employees, except as otherwise provided by City ordinances, state statutes or any applicable labor contracts made on the basis of merit; recruit, interview and test job applicants; ensure all appointments are made on the basis of merit; maintain a classification system, if any, for City employees and administer the pay plan; keep records of all City employees; ensure hearings for grievances promote training programs; and foster good employee relations.
(5) Compensation. The City Administrator shall receive such compensation and allowances as the Mayor and City Council may prescribe by resolution.
(C) Duties and Powers. In addition to the general authority as administrative head, and not as limitation thereof, the City Administrator shall:
(1) Keep the Mayor and City Council fully advised as to the financial condition of the City and its needs. Assist in the preparation of the annual estimates of revenues and expenditures of a proposed budget for the presentation of a complete financial plan for the Mayor and City Council prior to the consideration and adoption of the annual appropriation ordinance by the Governing Body. Be responsible for the supervision and control of the budgeted expenditures.
(2) Recommend to the Mayor and Council the appointment and dismissal of all department heads over which the Administrator exercises jurisdiction. The Administrator is responsible for the appointment and dismissal of all subordinate employees in the departments, divisions and services over which he or she exercises jurisdiction according to the laws of the City. The Administrator may also provide for the transfer of such employees within such departments, divisions and services to meet the City’s varying workload emergencies.
(3) Attend all meetings of the City Council with the duty of reporting any matter concerning City affairs under his or her supervision and direction; and to attend such other meetings of departments and officials as his or her duties may require, or as may be directed by the Mayor and Council.
(4) Make investigations into all of the affairs of the City and to make recommendations to the Mayor and Council for the adoption of such measures and ordinances as are deemed necessary or expedient for the good of the City government.
(5) Analyze the functions, duties and activities of the various departments, divisions and services of the City and all employees thereof, and to make recommendations regarding the same to the Mayor and Council, and to faithfully carry out the directions and recommendations of the Mayor and Council in coordinating the administrative functions and operations of the various departments, divisions and services.
(6) Investigate, or have investigated, all complaints filed against any employees, departments, divisions or services of the City, and to report such investigations with recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.
(7) Serve as City Planning and Zoning Director and shall advise both the City Planning Commission and City Council in matters pertaining to City planning.
(8) Perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as may be required by ordinance, or prescribed by resolution of the Mayor and Council.
(D) Political Activity; Conflict of Interest. The City Administrator shall not participate in any political activity on behalf of candidates or issues involving public trust, except for the casting of an individual ballot. The Administrator shall be an officer of the city within the meaning of section 16-502 RS Neb., and shall be subject to and bound by the prohibitions contained therein. (Ord. No. 512, 4/3/01)