(A) Created. The position of Town Administrator is hereby created.
(B) Appointment; qualifications; compensation. The Council shall appoint a Town Administrator for an indefinite term and fix the compensation and benefits of the position. The Town Administrator shall be appointed solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications with particular emphasis on accounting and experience in town government. The Town Administrator need not be a resident of the town or state at the time of appointment but, within three months of hire, must reside within 100 miles of the town's outer boundary line while in office unless Council allows an exception.
(C) Removal. The Town Council may remove the Town Administrator at any time by a majority vote of its members. If requested by the Town Administrator, a public hearing may be granted by the Council within 30 days following notice of removal. During the interim, the Administrator may continue working or the Council may suspend the Administrator from duty but shall continue the Administrator’s salary. If removal becomes final, the Town Administrator shall be paid any unused vacation and sick time.
(D) Acting Town Administrator. The Mayor shall designate, subject to approval of the Council, a qualified town employee to exercise the powers and to perform the duties of Administrator during a temporary absence or after a termination. During a temporary absence or a termination, the Mayor may, subject to approval by the Council, revoke such designation at any time and appoint another employee of the town to serve until the Administrator returns or a new Administrator is hired.
(E) Powers and duties of the Town Administrator. The Town Administrator shall be, under the direction of the Mayor, the chief administrative officer of the town. The Town Administrator shall be responsible to the Council for the administration of all town affairs placed in its charge by the Mayor, Council, or this section. The Town Administrator shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) Be involved, with the exception of the Police Department, in the hiring, suspending, or removing of all town employees;
(2) Direct and supervise, under the guidance of the Mayor, the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the town, except the Police Department;
(3) Attend all Council meetings and, if called upon, take part in discussion but may not vote;
(4) See that all ordinances and acts of the Council, subject to enforcement by Town Administrator or by employees subject to his or her direction and supervision, are faithfully executed;
(5) Prepare and submit the annual budget to the Council;
(6) Institute personnel rules and procedures with approval by Council, and the Council may by ordinance adopt them with or without amendment;
(7) Submit to the Council and make available to the public a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the town as of the end of each fiscal year;
(8) Make such other reports as the Mayor or Council may require concerning the operations of town departments, offices, and agencies subject to his or her direction and supervision;
(9) Keep the Council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the town and make such recommendations to the Council concerning the affairs of the town as he or she deems desirable;
(10) Be responsible in preparing, posting, and emailing to the Council and local news media the agenda of all regular and special Council meetings at least three days prior to the meeting;
(11) Assist the Recorder in keeping the journal of the proceedings of the governing body thereof and preserving the records of the municipality; and
(12) Perform such other duties as are specified in this section or may be required by the Council.
(Ord. 18-010, passed 10-8-2018; Am. Ord. 22-002, passed 10-10-2022)
Statutory reference:
Designated public records custodian, see W. Va. Code §§ 29B-1-2(1), 29B-1-6, and 29B-1-7