Chapter I · Administration

ARTICLE 3. CITY MANAGER

Sections 1-301 to 1-306 · 6 sections

1-301 City manager; appointment; qualifications.

(a)The administration of the city’s business shall be in the hands of a city manager who shall be appointed by and hold office at the pleasure of the governing body.

(b)The city manager shall be chosen solely upon the basis of administrative ability. Choice shall not be limited by any residence qualifications.

(K.S.A. 12-1011:1012; Code 1972, 2-98:99; Code 1984; C.O. No. 16)

1-302 Same; salary, bond.

The city manager shall receive a salary to be fixed by the governing body, and shall give a surety bond for the faithful performance of his or her duties in such amount as may be provided by ordinance.

(K.S.A. 12-1013).

1-303 Same; powers.

The administration of the city’s business shall be in the hands of the city manager who shall have all the powers vested in such office by the laws of the state, and shall have such further powers and duties as hereinafter provided.

(K.S.A. 12-1014; Code 1972, 2-98; Code 1984)

1-304 Same; general duties.

The city manager shall:

(a)Be responsible for all administrative affairs of the city and see that the laws of Kansas and ordinances of the city are enforced;

(b)Appoint and remove all heads of departments and subordinate officers and employees of the city. All such appointments shall be made upon merit and fitness alone. No removal may be made without due process;

(c)Be responsible for the discipline of all appointive officers, and may without notice cause the affairs of any department or the conduct of any officer or employee to be examined or terminated;

(d)May require such reports from the administrative officers of the city respecting their several offices as shall tend to improve the discharge of their several duties and as shall enable him or her to discharge his or her duties in the most efficient manner;

(e)Set salaries guided by the wage scale set by the governing body and within the limitations of the budget adopted by the governing body of the city;

(f)Prepare and submit the annual budget to the governing body and also keep the governing body fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the city;

(g)Make recommendations to the governing body on all matters concerning the welfare of the city, and shall have a seat, but no vote, in all of the public meetings of the governing body. He or she shall give a written or oral monthly report to the governing body regarding city affairs; and

(h)Perform such other and further duties as may be required by law or ordinance.

(K.S.A. 12-1014; Code 1972, 2-100; Code 1984; C.O. No. 16)

1-305 Same; countersigning warrants.

Warrants and warrant checks shall be signed by the city manager and by the city clerk of the City of Sterling, Kansas, and the seal, if any, of the city need not be attached or impressed or shown by facsimile. In the absence of the city manager, the mayor is hereby authorized to sign warrants and warrant checks in place of the city manager. In the absence of the city clerk, the deputy city clerk is hereby authorized to sign warrants and warrant checks in place of the city clerk. A facsimile signature may be used as authorized by Article 40 of Chapter 75 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated.

(C.O. 5, Secs. 2, 3)

1-306 Same; acting in other offices.

The city manager is hereby authorized to and may perform the duties of any officer whose office he or she is qualified to fill and in such cases the appointment or employment of such officer may be dispensed with. The manager may appoint one person to hold and perform the duties of more than one office; provided, one person may not hold offices which are incompatible or when such dual holding is prohibited by law. The city manager shall appoint the authorized and required number of employees as may be necessary for the efficient operation and administration of the public affairs of such offices of the city, and he or she may remove such employees at his or her pleasure. The compensation for all such employees shall be fixed by ordinance and in preparation of the annual city budget, the city manager shall estimate the number of employees to be required by the city during the year. Provisions shall be made in the budget for the compensation of all such employees.

(K.S.A. 12-1024; Code 1972, 2-102:105)