Vermont § 11 - City Manager

§ 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.)