Chapter 2.15
CITY MANAGER
Sections:
2.15.010 Office established — Appointment.
2.15.020 Duties, powers and responsibilities.
2.15.040 Creation of departments — Offices and positions — Council audit.
2.15.010 Office established — Appointment.
There is created the office of city manager. The city manager shall be appointed by the city council for an indefinite term. (Ord. 23 § 1, 2003).
2.15.020 Duties, powers and responsibilities.
The powers and duties of the city manager shall be to:
A. Serve as chief executive and administrative officer of the City, supervising, administering, and coordinating the activities and functions of the various City offices and departments as established by the City's ordinances and the policies of the city council;
B. Appoint and remove at any time all department directors, officers, and employees of the City, except members of the city council, subject to the provisions of any applicable contract, law, rule or regulation relating to civil service;
C. Appoint the municipal judge(s) of the City, subject to confirmation by the city council;
D. Attend all meetings of the city council unless unavailable or excused by the mayor;
E. Recommend for adoption by the city council such measures as are necessary or expedient;
F. Upon council approval, execute contracts and other instruments on behalf of the City;
G. Prepare and submit to the city council such reports as may be required or deemed advisable;
H. Periodically, advise the city council as to the financial condition of the City and its future needs;
I. Prepare and submit to the city council a proposed budget for the fiscal year, and be responsible for its administration upon adoption;
J. Supervise all expenditures by the various City offices, departments, and boards within the limitations of the annual budget of the City;
K. Make transfers between individual appropriations including allowances for budget items, departments and salary classifications within any one fund; provided, the same is reported to the city council or committee thereof, showing expenditures, liabilities and receipts against each separate budget appropriation during the period; and
L. Represent the City at meetings with other governmental units, agencies, commissions, and associations as deemed necessary or as directed by the city council. (Ord. 23 § 2, 2003).
2.15.030 Personnel authority.
The city manager shall serve as the personnel officer for the City and be responsible for and have the authority to monitor and enforce the City personnel policies. The city manager will establish procedures to ensure that all department heads and their employees, as the highest administrative priority, understand and execute the principles of outstanding customer service for the citizens of the City of Spokane Valley. The city manager must possess and demonstrate the above principles and periodically report to the city council efforts and examples of enhanced service delivery.
The city manager during the annual budget process shall make recommendations concerning compensation of appointive officers, department directors, and employees which shall be fixed by ordinance. The appointive officers shall include a city clerk and a chief of police. Upon approval of the annual budget, the city manager is authorized to make salary adjustments within the annual budget appropriations upon the exercise of reasonable discretion. (Ord. 23 § 3, 2003).
2.15.040 Creation of departments — Offices and positions — Council audit.
The city manager shall recommend the creation, elimination, consolidation and modification of departments, offices and positions as necessary or advisable for the efficient operation of the City, as well as the power and duties of each department, office and position. The city manager may delegate to any officer or position any duties required or authorized to be performed by the city manager. The city manager shall designate in writing an acting city manager to be responsible during extended absences of the city manager from the City. The acting city manager shall have all power and authority of the city manager during the absence.
The city council reserves the right to cause a performance of financial audit to be made of any department or office within the City and may select the persons or entity to make such audit without the advice or consent of the city manager. The scope of the audit and the results shall be reported directly to the city council. This audit authority shall be exercised in a manner consistent with the power of the city council to define the functions, powers, duties, compensation and working conditions of officers and employees, including the authority to create departments, offices and employments as necessary or advisable. (Ord. 23 § 4, 2003).
2.15.050 Removal from office.
The city manager shall be appointed for an indefinite term and may be removed by a majority vote of the city council pursuant to RCW 35A.13.130 and 35A.13.140 or pursuant to an employment agreement approved by a majority of the city council in an open meeting. (Ord. 17-002 § 1, 2017; Ord. 23 § 5, 2003).
2.15.060 Salary.
The salary of the city manager shall be as approved by the city council in the annual budget. (Ord. 23 § 6, 2003).
2.15.070 Residency.
The city manager is not required to be a resident of the City on the date of city council appointment but shall reside in Spokane County within six months of such appointment, unless otherwise waived by the city council. (Ord. 23 § 7, 2003).