(A) Establishment of office. In accordance with the authority for the appointment of a Village Manager granted to the village in Public Act 3 of 1895, M.C.L.A. §§ 62.2 and 65.8 as amended, the office of Village Manager is established.
(B) Appointment of Village Manager. The President shall, with the concurrence of a majority of the Village Council, appoint a Village Manager. The Village Council may enter into an employment contract with a Village Manager for a period extending beyond the terms of the members of Village Council but not exceeding six years. An employment contract with a Village Manager shall be in writing and shall specify the compensation to be paid to the Village Manager, any procedure for changing compensation, any fringe benefits and any other conditions of employment. The contract shall state that the Village Manager serves at the pleasure of the Village Council. The contract may provide for severance pay or other benefits in the event the employment of the Village Manager is terminated by the Village Council. The Village Manager shall serve at the pleasure of the Village Council and may be removed by a majority of the Village Council. The Village Manager shall be selected solely on the basis of administrative and executive abilities, with special reference to training and experience.
(C) Acting Village Manager. The President, with the concurrence of a majority of the Trustees, shall appoint or designate an Acting Village Manager during a vacancy in the office of Village Manager and shall make a permanent appointment within 180 days from the effective date of the vacancy.
(D) Compensation. The Village Manager shall receive such compensation as the Village Council shall determine by resolution or ordinance.
(E) Duties. The Village Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the village and shall be responsible to the Village Council for the efficient administration of all affairs of the village and shall exercise management supervision over all departments and over all public property belonging to the village. The Village Manager shall have the following functions and duties:
(1) Attend and participate in all meetings of the Village Council and committees but shall not have a vote on such Village Council or committees;
(2) Be responsible for personnel management and shall issue, subject to Village Council approval, personnel rules applicable to all village employees. The Village Manager shall have the following responsibilities:
(a) To appoint, suspend or remove all appointed administrative officers and department heads, subject to Village Council approval. The Village Manager shall recommend to the Village Council the salary or wage for each such official; and
(b) To appoint, suspend or remove all other employees of the village. The Village Manager shall determine the salary for each such employee subject to Village Council approval.
(3) Exercise supervisory control over all departments including the Police Department and the Department of Public Works;
(4) Exercise supervisory responsibility over the accounting, budgeting, personnel, purchasing and related management functions of the Village Clerk and Village Treasurer;
(5) Shall be authorized to attend all meetings of village boards and commissions including the Village Planning Commission with the right to take part but shall not have a vote;
(6) Prepare and administer the budget as provided for in the Uniform Budgeting and Accounting Act, Public Act 2 of 1968, M.C.L.A. §§ 141.421 to 141.440a as amended, and any village ordinance that may be adopted;
(7) Be the purchasing agent of the village;
(8) Prepare and maintain written policies and procedures defining the duties and functions of the several officers and departments of the village, subject to the approval by the Village Council;
(9) Investigate all complaints concerning the administration of the village, and shall have authority at all times to inspect the books, records and papers of any agent, employee or officer of the village;
(10) Make recommendations to the Village Council for the adoption of such measures as may be deemed necessary or expedient for the improvement or betterment of the village; and
(11) Perform other duties required from time to time by the Village Council.
(F) Purchasing responsibilities. The Village Manager shall act as purchasing agent for all village offices and departments. The Village Manager may delegate some or all of the duties as purchasing agent to another officer or employee provided that such delegation shall not relieve the Village Manager of the responsibility for the proper conduct of those duties.
(1) The Village Manager shall have the authority to purchase any product or service the cost of which does not exceed $2,500, provided that funds have been appropriated. The cost of the product or service shall not exceed the unencumbered balance of the appropriation for that account. Any product or service the cost of which exceeds the above dollar amount shall be purchased only if prior approval of the Village Council has been obtained. The Village Manager may promulgate rules governing the purchase of products or services.
(2) The Village Manager shall have the authority to purchase any product or service regardless of its cost when such purchase is necessitated by an emergency condition. EMERGENCY CONDITION is defined to mean any event, which presents an imminent threat to the public health or safety or any event which would result in the disruption of a village service which is essential to the public health or safety.
(G) Dealing with employees. Neither the Village Council nor the Village President shall attempt to influence the employment of any person by the Village Manager or in any way interfere in the management of departments under the jurisdiction of the Village Manager. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the Village President and Village Council and its members shall deal with departments under the jurisdiction of the Village Manager through the Village Manager.
(Ord. 178, passed 11-20-2008)