Jackson Municipal Code Ch. 2.05 City Manager

Note: Prior ordinance history: Ord. Nos. 475 and 475-B.

The position of the city manager is created and established. The city manager shall be appointed by the city council wholly on the basis of the city manager's administrative and executive ability and qualifications and shall hold office for and during the pleasure of the city council as hereinafter provided.

Whenever a reference is made to "city director," "chief administrative officer" or "city administrator" in this code or in any other ordinance, resolution or action, that reference shall be deemed to mean "city manager."

(Ord. 574 §1, 1995)

A. The city council shall appoint the city manager for an indefinite term, and may remove the city manager by a three-member vote. After the expiration of the six months' probationary period of employment, such removal shall be accomplished in the following manner: at least thirty days before such removal becomes effective, the city council shall, by a three-member vote of its members, adopt a preliminary resolution stating the reason for city manager removal. By the preliminary resolution the council may suspend the city manager from duty, but shall in any case cause to be paid him or her forthwith any unpaid balance of the city manager's salary. The city council, in removing the city manager, shall use its controlled discretion, and its action shall be final.

B. During the city manager's six months' probationary period of employment, the city manager may resign without notice. After the expiration of six months' probationary period, the city manager may resign from the position by giving at least thirty days' written notice of the effective date of the city manager's resignation; provided, further that the city council may waive all or part of said thirty-day notice period.

(Ord. 574 §1, 1995)

The city manager shall be the administrative head of the government of the city, under the direction and control of the city council. The city manager shall be responsible for the effective administration of all the affairs of the city. In addition to general authorities and power as administrative head, it shall be the duty to and shall have the powers as set forth in the following subsections:

A. Law Enforcement. It shall be the duty of the city manager to enforce all laws and ordinances of the city and to see that all franchises, contracts, permits and privileges granted by the city council are faithfully observed.

B. Authority Over Employees. It shall be the duty of the city manager, and he or she shall have the authority, to control, order and give directions to all heads of departments and to subordinate officers and employees of the city under the city manager's jurisdiction.

C. Power of Appointment and Removal. Subject to the employee merit system rules and regulations of the city, it shall be the duty of the city manager to appoint, remove, promote and demote any and all officers and employees of the city, except the city clerk, the city treasurer and the city attorney. City manager review with the city council is required prior to appointment or resignation but not prior to change of power of appointment. The city council shall appoint, remove, promote and demote the city attorney and all department heads of the city. City manager shall keep the city council informed of all employee terminations.

D. In the event the city manager is out-of-town for any reason, the city manager will notify the city council by memorandum of the individual or individuals responsible for overseeing the city manager's general administrative duties.

E. Administrative Reorganization of Officers. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the city manager to conduct studies and to recommend to the city council such administrative reorganization of offices, positions or units of the city as may be indicated in the interest of efficient, effective and economical conduct of the city's business.

F. Ordinances. It shall be the duty of the city manager to recommend to the city council for adoption such measures, resolutions and ordinances as he or she deems necessary.

G. Attendance at Council Meetings. It shall be the duty of the city manager to attend all meetings of the city council unless excused therefrom by the mayor individually or the city council.

H. Financial Reports. It shall be the duty of the city manager to keep the city council at all times fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the city and to present a monthly report to the city council on the finances and administrative activities of the city.

I. Budget. It shall be the duty of the city manager to prepare and submit the proposed annual budget and the proposed annual salary plan to the city council for its approval on or before June 15th each year.

J. Expenditure Control and Purchasing. It shall be the duty of the city manager to see that no expenditures shall be submitted or recommended to the city council except on approval of the city manager or the authorized representative. The city manager or the authorized representative shall be responsible for the purchase of all supplies for all the departments or divisions of the city; further, it shall be the duty of the city manager to establish a centralized purchasing system for all city offices, departments and agencies.

K. Investigations and Complaints. It shall be the duty of the city manager to make investigations into the affairs of the city and any department or division thereof, and any contract or the proper performance of any obligations of the city; further, it shall be the duty of the city manager to investigate all complaints in relation to matters concerning the administration of the city government and in regard to the service maintained by public utilities in the city.

L. Public Buildings. It shall be the duty of the city manager to exercise general supervision over all public buildings, public parks and all other public property which is under the control and jurisdiction of the city council.

M. Emergency. It shall be the duty of the city manager or designated acting city manager in the absence of the city manager to advise the mayor and councilmembers of emergency conditions as soon as practicable.

N. Additional Duties. It shall be the duty of the city manager to perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as may be delegated to him or her from time to time by ordinance or resolution or other official action of the city council.

(Ord. 574 §1, 1995)

It is not intended by the provisions of this chapter to grant any authority to, or impose any duty upon, the city manager which is vested in or imposed by any general law or city regulation in any other city board, officer or employee. The city manager's functions shall be administrative and not policy making or legislative.

(Ord. 574 §1, 1995)

The city council and its members shall deal with the administrative services of the city only through the city manager, except for the purpose of inquiry, and neither the city council nor any member thereof shall give orders or instructions to any subordinates of the city manager. The city manager shall take his or her orders and instructions from the city council only when sitting in a duly convened meeting of the city council, and no individual councilperson shall give any orders or instructions to the city manager.

(Ord. 574 §1, 1995)

The city manager shall appoint, subject to council approval, one of the officers or department heads of the city to serve as manager pro tempore during any extended or otherwise significant temporary absence or disability of the city manager.

(Ord. 574 §1, 1995)

The city manager shall receive such compensation as the city council shall from time to time determine. The city manager shall take an annual vacation in accordance with the time authorized by the city council for vacation unless the city council extends approved accrued vacation time.

(Ord. 574 §1, 1995)

No member of the city council shall be eligible for appointment as city manager until two years have elapsed after such councilmember has ceased to be a member of the city council.

(Ord. 574 §1, 1995)

The city manager shall furnish a corporate surety bond to be approved by the city council, and shall be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties imposed upon the city manager as prescribed in this chapter. Any premium for such bond shall be a proper charge against the city.

(Ord. 574 §1, 1995)

The city council shall on a semiannual basis prepare a written report of the city manager's performance.

(Ord. 574 §1, 1995)