Sonora Municipal Code § 2.48 Administrative Officer

A. It is the intent of the city council in adopting this chapter to provide effective centralized administration for the government of the city, to the extent practical in a city not having a charter form of government.

B. In order to successfully carry out this objective, it will be necessary to observe the following general principles. The city council, individually and collectively, shall:

1. Allow the administrative officer to make day-to-day administrative decisions;

2. Require all administrative matters requiring action by the council to come to the full council through the office of the administrative officer; and

3. Consider the administrative officer as its representative and have confidence in him/her and his/her recommendations.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

A. The office of administrative officer is established.

B. The administrative officer shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the city council. He/she shall be appointed by a majority vote of the city council.

C. The salary and other benefits for the administrative officer shall be established by the council and reviewed annually.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer shall be a person having a degree in either accounting, business administration, economics, law, political science or public administration and having at least two years' experience in public or private employment in a responsible or executive position which required the planning and budgeting of programs and the control of expenditures.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

A. The administrative officer shall supervise for the city council the administration of all city departments, offices and institutions over which the council has responsibility and control through its power to appoint the department head. The administrative officer shall also act as the administrative officer for the council in administering all policies, procedures and regulations which the council has legal authority to apply to city offices, departments and institutions, including those departments in which the department head is an elected or appointed officer.

B. The administrative officer shall attend all meetings of the council, unless excused therefrom, prepare matters for the council's consideration and action, and make recommendations to the council on matters within his authority.

C. The administrative officer shall prepare and carry out administrative policies and procedures necessary to implement the directives, policies and goals established by the council relative to the operation of city government.

D. It shall be the duty of each department head, elected or appointed, to provide information relating to the administrative operation of his/her department, upon request of the administrative officer, and to follow the administrative policies and procedures of the city.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer shall submit a proposed annual budget together with his/her recommendations to the city council for consideration and adoption. He/she shall supervise and direct preparation of the budget and review and evaluate all items including expenditures, revenues and services.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

After final adoption of the budget by the city council, the administrative officer shall administer the budget and exercise continuous expenditure control. He/she shall review all requests for appropriations and transfers and make recommendations thereon, to the council. He/she shall supervise expenditures of all city offices, departments and institutions, including those departments in which the department head is an elected or appointed officer. He/she may recommend to the council disapproval of proposed expenditures, whether or not they are included in the budget. He/she may establish such budget controls or allotment systems as approved by the council.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer shall work closely with the finance director in the preparation and execution of the budget.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer shall be responsible for administering the personnel and labor relations program of the city including, but not limited to, hiring, discharging, recruitment, examination, classification, training, salary setting, grievance processing and affirmative action. He/she shall recommend to the city council appropriate policies, procedures and rules for the efficient operation of the personnel system.

(Ord. 631 § 1, 1987; Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer shall select and recommend to the city council for appointment at least two qualified candidates to fill each vacancy occurring in a department head position which the city council has the power to fill, except for elective offices, appointive offices with fixed terms of office, and members of boards and commissions. The city council shall not make such an appointment without a recommendation from the administrative officer.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer may recommend to the city council the dismissal or suspension of any department head, except for elective officers, appointive officers with fixed terms of office, and members of boards and commissions. Whenever such a recommendation is made, the person affected shall be notified in writing and upon request shall have the right to a hearing by the council.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer shall evaluate the on-the-job performance of each department head, except for elective offices, appointive offices with the fixed terms of office, and members of boards and commissions, at least once annually and prepare a written record of his/her review. The administrative officer shall discuss his/her draft evaluation with the department head. If the final report indicates unsatisfactory performance, the report shall be discussed with the city council and the department head.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer shall supervise and direct the administration of computer and data processing, maintenance, police, fire, building, planning and such other administrative services as may be placed under his/her supervision by the city council.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer shall supervise and direct the administration of purchasing in all areas.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer shall perform such investigations, studies, or surveys as the city council may request or as he/she deems necessary for the efficient and effective use of manpower, material, facilities and services.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer shall coordinate the planning for design and construction of physical facilities and assignment of space required for city services. He/she shall prepare, and keep current, a capital improvement plan, including recommended methods for financing, for adoption by the city council.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer shall recommend to the city council such organizational and staffing plans and proposals as, in his/her judgment, are necessary and desirable in order to efficiently provide city services. Such recommendations may include transfers, reassignments or consolidation of functions and services.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer shall represent the city council in matters relating to relationships with other governmental entities and enunciate policies and views of the council.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

The administrative officer shall give the city council a minimum of thirty days' prior written notice of his/her intention to resign.

(Ord. 620 § 1, 1986; Ord. 590 (part), 1984.)

Before dismissing the administrative officer, the city council shall give written notice to him/her. The written notice shall comply with any written notice requirements in the employment agreement with the administrative officer. If the employment agreement requires advanced notice prior to dismissal, the city council may suspend or relieve the administrative officer of his/her duties during the time period prior to dismissal.

(Ord. 590 (part), 1984; Amended in its entirety by Ord. 864 on 12/2/2019.)