The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 24 Appendix : Municipal Charters

Chapter 011 : City of St. Albans

• § 11. City Manager

  (a) The City Manager shall be chosen and appointed by majority vote of the City Council for an indefinite term, and his or her salary fixed, solely on the basis of his or her technical education as a City Manager and executive and administrative qualifications. The City Council’s choice shall not be limited to the inhabitants of the City or State.

  (b) The City Manager may be removed from office by a majority vote of the City Council. At least 30 days before such removal shall become effective, the Council shall by a majority vote of its members adopt a preliminary resolution stating the reasons for his or her removal, and cause a copy of the resolution to be given to the Manager. The Manager may reply in writing and may request a public hearing, which shall be held not earlier than 20 days nor later than 30 days after the filing of such request. After the public hearing, if one is requested, and after full consideration, the Council by majority vote of its members may adopt a final resolution of removal. During the absence or disability of the City Manager, the City Council shall designate some properly qualified person to perform the duties of the Office.

  (c) Neither the City Council nor any of its committees shall dictate the appointment or removal of any staff member by the City Manager, or in any manner interfere with the City Manager or prevent him or her from exercising his or her own judgment in the appointment of administrative service staff with the exception of the appointment of the Director of Public Works, the Fire Chief, and the Chief of Police as provided in subsection (e) of this section. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the Council and its members shall deal with the administrative service solely through the City Manager, and neither the Council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the City Manager, either publicly or privately.

  (d) The City Manager shall be the administrative head of the City government and shall be responsible to the City Council for the administration of the affairs of the City and carrying out the policies of the City Council. The powers and duties of the City Manager shall be as follows:

  (1) the City Manager shall see that all laws and ordinances are enforced;

  (2) shall exercise administrative control over all departments herein created or that may be created by administrative code except as otherwise provided in this charter;

  (3) shall make all staff appointments and removals except as otherwise provided in this charter;

  (4) shall prepare the annual fiscal budget to be submitted to the City Council on or before the date set each year by the City Council;

  (5) shall attend meetings of the City Council, take part in the business discussion, and make such recommendations for the determination of policy as the City Manager may deem expedient, except when City Council is considering his or her removal;

  (6) shall act as purchasing agent for all City departments, except schools;

  (7) shall be the Collector of Taxes, or shall delegate collection efforts to his or her designee;

  (8) shall fix the salaries and wages of all employees under the City Manager’s jurisdiction in accordance with this charter, fiscal budgets, and personnel policies;

  (9) shall administer the personnel policies, job classifications, and pay plan;

  (10) may delegate responsibility for administrative duties to staff members and subordinate officials; and

  (11) shall perform other duties as may be prescribed by this charter or required by the City Council.

  (e) Appointments by the City Manager of the following officials shall be subject to the approval of the City Council: Director of Public Works, Fire Chief, and Chief of Police. These appointed officials shall, unless removed by the City Manager, serve indefinitely and until their successors are appointed and qualified. These officials and employees appointed by the City Manager as herein provided shall be immediately responsible to the City Manager for the administration of their departments, and their advice in writing may be required by him or her on all matters affecting their departments. They shall prepare departmental estimates that shall be open to public inspection, and they shall make all other reports and recommendations concerning their departments or offices at stated intervals or whenever requested by the City Manager. (Amended 2003, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. May 20, 2010.)