A. Appointment and Qualifications. The City Council, by a majority vote of its total membership, shall select, appoint, contract with, and fix the compensation of a qualified individual for the position of Finance Director.
B. Powers and Duties of the Finance Director. The Finance Director shall be the chief fiscal officer (CFO) of the City and shall perform the functions customarily assigned to the municipal auditor and/or treasurer under the general laws of the State for municipal accounting, collection of taxes, accounts and assessments and control of disbursements. The Finance Director shall be the head of the Department of Finance and shall have the following powers, duties, and functions:
(1) Act as the fiscal manager and advisor for the City and keep the Council and the City Manager fully advised as to the financial condition of the City.
(2) Issue all warrants for the payment of money by or on behalf of the City and keep an accurate account of all taxes and assessments.
(3) Appoint, employ, or hire employees of the Finance Department, when such positions are authorized by Council, and suspend, remove, or otherwise discipline any such employees in accordance with the City’s Personnel Manual.
(4) Act as the custodian and manager of all monies of the City, keeping and preserving the same in such manner and form as Council may by ordinance or resolution direct, and keep an accurate account of all monies due to and all receipts and disbursements made by the City, or its assets and liabilities, and of all appropriations made by the Council.
(5) Assist the City Manager in the preparation and presentation of the annual budget and capital plan for the City.
(6) Audit the accounts of the several departments of the City at least once each fiscal year, unless requested to do so more frequently by Council, and provide cash management services for the City.
(7) Prescribe the method of keeping the accounts of all City departments, showing the receipt of all monies by such departments and the disposition thereof, at such time as the Finance Director shall determine.
(8) Perform all other duties as may be required by Council, as well as other persons holding the position of auditor or treasurer under the laws of the State applicable to municipalities and not inconsistent with this Charter, except that nothing contained herein shall be construed as to impose upon the Finance Director any duty or responsibility imposed by State law which is not required by this Charter.
C. Acting and Interim Finance Director.
(1) Should a vacancy in the office of the Finance Director occur, or during periods of temporary absence or disability of the Finance Director lasting thirty (30) days or more, the Assistant Finance Director shall serve as the Interim Finance Director, unless a majority of the Council appoints another Interim Finance Director to fill the temporary vacancy.
(2) In cases where the Finance Director is vacant from his or her office for a period of less than thirty (30) days due to vacation, illness or other leave, the Assistant Finance Director shall serve as the Acting Finance Director, unless the Finance Director appoints another to serve as Acting Finance Director in his or her absence, by administrative directive.