ARTICLE III. DEPARTMENTS
DIVISION 1. OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
2-71 Established; responsibilities generally.
There is hereby established the Office of the Mayor, which shall have the primary responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day administrative and executive functions of the City. The Office of the Mayor shall also be responsible for administering all contracts in which services are provided to the City that assist the Mayor in fulfilling the responsibilities of his office that are not directly assigned to any other department, such as the contracts for law enforcement, fire protection, and legal services.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-72 Office assistants.
The Mayor may hire such number of full-time, part-time, or seasonal employees as the City budget shall authorize to assist him in fulfilling the responsibilities of his position. All persons hired by the Mayor as an office assistant shall have at least a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of experience working for a local, state, or federal government performing duties similar to those in which the employee will be assigned to perform for the City or a high school diploma and five years’ experience performing duties similar to those in which the employee will be assigned to perform for the City. All such employees shall be considered “personal staff members” and exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-73—2-85 Reserved.
DIVISION 2. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
2-86 Established; responsibilities generally.
There is hereby established the Department of Finance, which shall have the primary responsibility for providing safekeeping of the funds of the City and accounting for the use of such funds; for administering the City’s financial policies and programs in order to enhance the functions of the City.
(Code 1985, § 2-32; Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13; Ord. No. 2447, 6-25-24)
2-87 Functions and duties.
The following functions are assigned to the Department of Finance:
(1) Maintaining the accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and such other policies and procedures established by the State of Michigan.
(2) Assisting in the preparation of the annual budget and monitoring of the budget.
(3) Administering the City’s income tax ordinance.
(4) Purchasing needs of the City in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Ordinances.
(5) Investing of surplus funds in accordance with the City’s investment policy.
(6) Processing of employee payroll, remittance of voluntary and involuntary withholdings, and filing of mandated associated reports.
(7) Assessing any real and personal property in the City in accordance with State law.
(8) Processing of all debts and bills owed by the City in accordance with debt and remittance schedules and agreements.
(9) Invoicing and collecting all taxes and receipts owed to the City.
(10) Administering the risk management functions and responsibilities of the City.
(11) Retaining the financial records of the City in accordance with the record retention and disposal policy of the City.
(Code 1985, § 2-32; Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13; Ord. No. 2447, 6-25-24)
2-88 Director.
There shall be a Director of the Department of Finance (Finance Director), whose appointment and remuneration shall be in accord with the procedures provided for in the Charter. The Director of the Department of Finance shall have the overall supervisory and administrative responsibilities pertaining to the administration and implementation of the functions described in section 2-87. The Director shall be responsible for ensuring that all of the duties and responsibilities of the Department identified in the Code of Ordinances are executed in a fair and legal manner. The Director shall be responsible for administering all contracts in which services are provided to the City that assist the Director in fulfilling the responsibilities of his position. The Director may hire such number of full-time, part-time, or seasonal employees as the City budget shall authorize to assist him in fulfilling the responsibilities of his position.
The Finance Director shall have a master’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or public administration or in a related field and at least three to five years’ experience in accounting, budgeting, and finance. Two years’ experience in the public sector is preferred or, a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, public administration or in a related field and at least seven to ten years’ experience in accounting, budgeting, and finance. Three years’ experience in the public sector is preferred.
(Code 1985, § 2-33; Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13; Ord. No. 2402, 1-10-23; Ord. No. 2447, 6-25-24)
2-89 City Treasurer.
There shall be a City Treasurer, whose appointment and remuneration shall be in accord with the procedures provided for in the Charter. The City Treasurer shall be responsible for the duties prescribed upon township treasurers by the laws of the State of Michigan and shall be responsible for the prudent investment and safekeeping of the funds of the City in accordance with the investment policy adopted by the City Council. The City Treasurer shall have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or public administration and at least five years’ experience in accounting, budgeting, or finance, of which at least two years shall have been in the public sector.
(Code 1985, § 2-34; Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-90 Purchasing Agent/Fiscal Analyst.
There shall be a Purchasing Agent/Fiscal Analyst, whose appointment and remuneration shall be in accord with the procedures provided for in the Charter. The Purchasing Agent/Fiscal Analyst shall be responsible for preparing and tabulating all requests for proposals, requests for qualifications, or any other such bids sought by the City and reviewing and authorizing purchase orders in accordance with the Code of Ordinances. The Purchasing Agent/Fiscal Analyst shall have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or public administration and at least three years’ experience in accounting, purchasing, or finance. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, the Purchasing Agent/Fiscal Analyst shall have an associate’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or public administration and at least five years’ experience in accounting, purchasing, or finance, of which at least one year shall have been in the public sector.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-91 Payables and Receivables Manager.
There shall be a Payables and Receivables Manager, who shall be appointed by the Finance Director with the consent of the Mayor and his remuneration shall be in accord with the procedures provided for in the Charter. The Payables and Receivables Manager shall be responsible for processing for payment all invoices that are properly submitted to the City and verified by respective department heads and invoicing all creditors of the City for services provided. The Payables and Receivables Manager shall have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or public administration and at least three years’ experience in accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, or finance, of which at least one year shall have been in the public sector. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, the Payables and Receivables Manager shall have an associate’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or public administration and at least five years’ experience in accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, or finance, of which at least one year shall have been in the public sector.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-92 Human Resources Specialist.
There shall be a Human Resources Specialist, who shall be appointed by the Finance Director with the consent of the Mayor, and his remuneration shall be in accord with the procedures provided for in the Charter. The Human Resources Specialist shall be responsible for the administration of employee and retiree benefits to the extent that benefits are provided, reviewing job descriptions and the City’s personnel policies and procedures at least on an annual basis, and maintaining the files of the former Personnel Department of the City. The Human Resources Specialist shall have a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management, human resource administration/management, or public administration and at least five years’ experience in human resource or benefits administration.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-93 Deputy Finance Director.
The Finance Director may designate, with the consent of the Mayor, one of the employees of the Finance Department or any other employee of the City who possesses the qualifications and has the experience required by this Code for Finance Director to serve as Deputy Finance Director. The Deputy Finance Director shall be considered the Chief Assistant Finance Director.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-94 Deputy City Treasurer.
The Finance Director may designate one of the employees of the Finance Department to serve as Deputy City Treasurer or any other employee of the City who possesses the qualifications and has the experience required by this Code for City Treasurer. In lieu of the qualifications and experience required by this Code for City Treasurer, the Deputy City Treasurer shall have a high school diploma and shall have at least five years’ experience working in the office of a municipal treasurer with regular responsibilities working directly with the tax roll or managing investments.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-95 Income Tax Director.
The Finance Director may designate one of the employees of the Finance Department to serve as Income Tax Director, who shall have the powers granted to the Income Tax Director by this Code or by the laws of the State of Michigan. In the absence of such a designation, the Finance Director shall serve as the Income Tax Director.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-96—2-110 Reserved.
DIVISION 3. OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
2-111 Created; functions and duties.
There is hereby created the office of the City Clerk, which shall have the responsibility for administering City, State, County, and Federal elections, maintaining the local voter registration list, preparing the agenda and the minutes for City council meetings, codifying the Code of Ordinances, and maintaining and retaining the official permanent nonfinancial records of the City, including all ordinances, resolutions, and proceedings, giving all required public notices, maintaining a record of all existing and proposed rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the City.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-112 City Clerk.
There shall be a City Clerk, whose appointment and compensation shall be in accord with the procedures provided for in the Charter. The City Clerk shall have a master’s degree in business administration, political science, or public administration and at least three years’ experience working in the office of a municipal clerk. In addition, the City Clerk shall be certified to administer elections in the State of Michigan and be certified to use the State Qualified Voter File at the time of hire. The City Clerk shall also have at least one year of experience taking minutes for a public body. In lieu of a master’s degree, the City Clerk may have a bachelor’s degree and at least five years’ experience working in the office of a municipal clerk, of which two shall have been as a Deputy City Clerk. The City Clerk shall be responsible for ensuring that all of the duties and responsibilities of the City Clerk identified in the Code of Ordinances and State law are executed in a fair and legal manner. The City Clerk shall be responsible for administering all contracts in which services are provided to the City that assist the City Clerk in fulfilling the responsibilities of his position. The City Clerk shall certify under corporate seal, when requested, all official papers and records of the City and make them available to the public as provided by law. The City Clerk shall make a recommendation to the Election Commission of applicants for position of Election Inspector or Precinct Chair or Co-Chair from which the Election Commission shall consider for appointment to the respective positions and make such appointments as required by law. The City Clerk may hire such number of full-time, part-time, or seasonal employees as the City budget shall authorize to assist him in fulfilling the responsibilities of his position.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-113 Deputy City Clerk.
There may be a Deputy City Clerk, whose appointment and compensation shall be in accord with the procedures provided for in the Charter. The Deputy City Clerk shall be considered the Chief Assistant Clerk. The Deputy City Clerk shall have a bachelor’s degree in general studies, business administration, political science, or public administration and at least three years’ experience working in the office of a municipal clerk. In addition, the Deputy City Clerk shall be certified to administer elections in the State of Michigan and be certified to use the State Qualified Voter File at the time of hire. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, the Deputy City Clerk shall have a high school diploma and shall have at least five years’ experience working in the office of a municipal clerk. The Deputy City Clerk shall also have experience taking minutes. The Deputy Clerk shall perform the duties of the office of the Clerk in the absence or disability of the Clerk.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-114—2-140 Reserved.
Editor’s note—Ord. No. 2254, § 1, adopted April 17, 2012, repealed §§ 2-111—2-115, which pertained to the Department of Public Utilities and derived from §§ 2-43.16—2-43.20 of the 1985 Code.
DIVISION 4. DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
2-141 Created; functions and duties.
There is hereby created the Department of Community Development, which shall have the responsibility for administering, implementing and carrying out the activities pertaining to:
(1) Construction code enforcement.
(2) Vacant property registration program.
(3) Residential rental registration program.
(4) Business license program.
(5) Planning activities.
(6) Zoning ordinance administration and enforcement.
(7) Historic District Commission administration.
(8) Property maintenance code enforcement activities.
(9) Fire insurance withholding program.
(10) Disposing of City real estate.
(11) Implementation of any programs funded by federal grants from the United States Department of Community Development.
(12) Development of the capital improvement plan.
(13) Processing all applications for tax abatements received by the City as permitted by State law.
(14) Working with developers to assist them in executing their projects within the City if permitted by law.
(15) Retaining documents as required by law and the City’s record retention and disposal policy for the former components of the Pontiac Growth Group, including the General Building Authority, Downtown Development Authority, Economic Development Corporation, and Pontiac Business Development Center.
(16) Supporting the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Tax Increment Finance Authority to the extent that such authorities exist and, upon their dissolution, retaining documents as required by law and the City’s record retention and disposal policy.
(17) Establishing the policies and procedures and the general administration of the government access and public access television channels on cable television.
(18) Assisting the Finance Department with the risk management functions of the City as requested by the Finance Director.
(19) Such other additional community development functions as may from time to time be authorized by the Mayor or by ordinance.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-142 Director.
There shall be a Director of the Department of Community Development, whose appointment and remuneration shall be in accord with the procedures provided for in the Charter. The Director of the Department of Community Development (Community Development Director) shall have the overall supervisory and administrative responsibilities pertaining to the administration and implementation of the functions described in section 2-141. The Director shall be responsible for ensuring that all of the duties and responsibilities of the Department identified in the Code of Ordinances are executed in a fair and legal manner. The Director shall be responsible for administering all contracts in which services are provided to the City that assist the Director in fulfilling the responsibilities of his position. The Director may hire such number of full-time, part-time, or seasonal employees as the City budget shall authorize to assist him in fulfilling the responsibilities of his position. The Director of Community Development shall have a master’s degree in architecture, business administration, community development, political science, or public administration and at least three years’ experience in administration of zoning ordinances, construction code enforcement, nuisance enforcement, grant administration, or economic development activities. In lieu of a master’s degree, the Director of Community Development shall have a bachelor’s degree in architecture, business administration, community development, political science, or public administration and at least five years’ experience in administration of zoning ordinances, construction code enforcement, nuisance enforcement, grant administration, or economic development activities.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-143 Deputy Director.
There may be a Deputy Director of the Department of Community Development, whose appointment and compensation shall be in accord with the procedures provided for in the Charter. The Deputy Director of the Department of Community Development shall be considered the Chief Assistant Director of the Department of Community Development. The Deputy Director of the Department of Community Development shall have a bachelor’s degree in architecture, business administration, community development, political science, or public administration and at least three years’ experience in administration in the enforcement of zoning ordinances, grant administration, or economic development activities.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-144 Cable Director.
There may be a Cable Director, whose appointment shall be made by the Director with the consent of the Mayor, and remuneration shall be in accord with the procedures provided for in the Charter. The Cable Director shall be responsible for the operation of the government access and public access television stations. The Cable Director shall have a bachelor’s degree in communications and at least three years’ experience in the operation of a television studio, editing, and single camera production. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, the Cable Director shall have at least five years’ experience in the operation of a television studio, editing, and single camera production.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-145—2-165 Reserved.
Editor’s note—Ord. No. 2189, § 1, adopted Dec. 15, 2005, repealed div. 4, §§ 2-141, 2-142, which pertained to department of community and human services and derived from Code 1985, §§ 2-43.21, 2-43.22.
DIVISION 5. EXTERNAL AUDITOR
2-166 External auditor.
The City Council shall contract with a certified public accounting firm to perform an annual external audit of the financial records of the City. Such certified public accounting firm shall have at least ten years’ experience of auditing at least five different cities or townships in the State of Michigan. Such external auditor shall be selected through a request for proposal or other formal bid process in accordance with the criteria identified in this section. The City Council may choose to offer a contract for at least one year and not more than five years in its solicitation request. Such solicitation shall be made at some reasonable time between January 1 through February 28 and a selection shall be made by March 15. A Finance Committee of the City Council comprised of three members shall meet with the external auditor before the external audit is commenced and at the conclusion of the external audit. The Mayor and Finance Director shall fully cooperate with the external auditor. Failure of the Mayor or Finance Director to cooperate with the external auditor shall be deemed a misdemeanor, subject to a penalty of 90 days in jail or a $500.00 fine or both upon conviction.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-167—2-190 Reserved.
Editor’s note—Ord. No. 2254, § 1, adopted April 17, 2012, repealed §§ 2-166—2-169, which pertained to the Office of Legislative Auditor and derived from §§ 2-43.23, 2-43.24 of the 1985 Code.
DIVISION 6. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
2-191 Created; functions and duties.
There is hereby created the Department of Public Works, which shall have the responsibility for administering, implementing and carrying out the activities pertaining to:
(1) Public improvement projects of the City, their design, construction and inspection;
(2) Streets, sidewalks and rights-of-way, their construction and maintenance;
(3) Buildings and grounds of City-owned property, their construction and maintenance;
(4) Electrical services, including such service for all City activities, street lighting and traffic control, their construction, installation, maintenance and operations;
(5) Signs, their creation, installation, and maintenance;
(6) Cemeteries, their construction, maintenance, and operation;
(7) Parks and recreational facilities, their construction, maintenance, and operation;
(8) Forestry, including acquisition, installation, removal, treatment and maintenance of trees, shrubbery, flowers, grass and other such like growing enhancements and further including the removal of encroachments upon the public right-of-way by such things as well as the monitoring and abatement of diseases or infestations both on public and private property that may adversely affect such growing things;
(9) Traffic engineering, the maintenance, installation or removal and operation of traffic control devices and determination for need for issuance of traffic control orders;
(10) Issuance of permits for construction in rights-of-way and inspection of such construction;
(11) Preparation of petitions for special assessments;
(12) The use of and activities pertaining to the City’s parks, recreation facilities and community centers;
(13) Facilities for the disposal of and systems for the collection of garbage, rubbish, refuse, and waste matter, their construction, maintenance, and operation;
(14) Such other additional public works functions as may from time to time be authorized by the Mayor or by ordinance.
(Code 1985, § 2-43.25; Ord. No. 2190, § 1, 12-15-05; Ord. No. 2254, § 1, 4-17-12; Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)
2-192 Director.
There shall be a Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW Director), whose appointment and compensation shall be in accord with the procedures provided for in the Charter. It is preferred for the Director of the Department of Public Works to have a bachelor’s degree and/or a master’s degree in engineering, public administration, or business administration and at least ten years of experience in designing, engineering, servicing, and/or administering municipal, county, state, and/or federal public works, transportation, water, and/or sewer systems.
(Code 1985, § 2-43.26; Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13; Ord. No. 2402, 1-10-23)
2-193 Deputy Director.
There may be a Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works, whose appointment and compensation shall be in accord with the procedures provided for in the Charter. The Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works shall be considered the Chief Assistant Director of the Department of Public Works. It is preferred for the Deputy Director of the Department of Public Words to have a bachelor’s degree and/or a master’s degree in engineering, public administration, or business administration and at least ten years of experience in designing, engineering, servicing, and/or administering municipal, county, state, and/or federal public works, transportation, water, and/or sewer systems.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13; Ord. No. 2402, 1-10-23)
2-194 City Engineer.
There shall be a City Engineer, whose appointment shall be made by the Director with the consent of the Mayor and compensation shall be in accord with the procedures provided for in the Charter. The City Engineer shall have a master’s degree in engineering and at least three years’ experience in civil engineering. In lieu of a master’s degree, the City Engineer shall have a bachelor’s degree in engineering and at least five years’ experience in civil engineering. The City Engineer shall be a licensed engineer in the State of Michigan at the time of hire. In lieu of hiring a City Engineer as an employee, the Director may choose to designate a civil engineering firm as City Engineer. If a firm is selected, such firm shall have a contract with the City that clearly designates the responsibilities of the firm and the rates the firm will charge the City.
(Ord. No. 2287, § 1(A), 6-27-13)