At the first regular meeting in May of each year the mayor, by and with the consent of the council, shall appoint a city administrator, city clerk, city treasurer, city attorney, municipal judge, municipal court clerk, chief of police, and such other officers as may be deemed necessary for the best interest of the city. Such officers shall hold their respective offices until their successors have been appointed and qualified. All such appointments shall be entered on the journal of proceedings of the governing body, the duties and salaries of all appointed officers shall be fixed by ordinance.
(K.S.A. Supp. 15-204; Code 1991; Code 2023)
The mayor shall have authority to hire all other employees, or such authority may be delegated to the respective department heads.
(Code 1991; Code 2023)
(a) A majority of all members elect of the governing body are required to remove any appointed officer.
(b) With or without cause, the mayor may suspend at any time any appointed officer.
(c) Employees, other than appointed officers, may be removed by the mayor upon recommendation of the respective department heads.
(d) No officer or employee shall be removed for any reason until he or she has been given notice in writing. Appointed officers will be afforded the opportunity for a hearing before the governing body prior to permanent removal.
(K.S.A. Supp. 15-204; Code 1991; Code 2023)
Whenever a vacancy occurs in any appointive office for whatever reason, the vacancy shall be filled by the governing body. Any person appointed to fill such vacancy shall serve only until the next regular time for appointment.
(K.S.A. 15-209; Code 1991)
The city clerk shall:
(a) Be custodian of all city records, books, files, papers, documents and other personal effects belonging to the city and not properly pertaining to any other office;
(b) Carry on all official correspondence of the city;
(c) Attend and keep a record of the proceedings of all regular and special meetings of the governing body;
(d) Enter every appointment of office and the date thereof in the journal;
(e) Enter or place each ordinance of the city in the ordinance books after its passage;
(f) Publish all ordinances, except those appropriating money, and such resolutions, notices and proclamations as may be required by law or ordinance;
(g) When duly appointed, the position of city clerk shall be considered a public officer of the city.
(Code 1991; Code 2023)
The city clerk shall:
(a) Prepare and keep suitable fiscal records according to generally accepted accounting principles;
(b) Assist in preparing the annual budget;
(c) Audit all claims against the city for goods or services rendered for the consideration of the governing body. His or her accounts shall properly show the amounts paid from any fund of the city and the cash balance existing in each fund;
(d) Keep an accurate account of all bonds issued by the city;
(e) Keep a record of all special assessments.
(Code 1991)
The city clerk shall:
(a) Have custody of the corporate seal of the city and shall affix the same to the official copy of all ordinances, contracts, and other documents required to be authenticated;
(b) Have power to administer oaths for all purposes pertaining to the business and affairs of the city;
(c) Keep suitable files of all such oaths required to be deposited in his or her office.
(Code 1991)
The city clerk is designated as the withholding agent of the city for the purposes of the Federal Revenue (Income) Act, and shall perform the duties required of withholding agents by said act or any other act requiring withholding from the compensation of any city officer or employee. The clerk shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the governing body or the Kansas statutes.
(Code 1991)
(a) The office of assistant city clerk is hereby established. The mayor shall appoint, by and with the consent of the city council, the assistant city clerk. The person so appointed and confirmed shall hold the office until a successor is appointed and confirmed.
(b) Responsibilities of the assistant city clerk shall include the following:
(1) Duties assigned by the city clerk
(2) Code compliance coordination
(3) Appointment as Zoning Administrator
(4) Clerical duties in support of Zoning Administration
(5) When duly appointed, the position of assistant city clerk shall be considered a public officer of the city.
(c) Whenever a vacancy occurs in the position of city clerk and the city is without a person appointed, confirmed or qualified to hold that office, the assistant city clerk shall become the acting city clerk and fulfill the duties of that office.
(d) Compensation of the assistant city clerk shall be set by ordinance passed by the governing body.
(Code 2010; Ord. 2021-03; Code 2023)
The city treasurer shall:
(a) Keep a full and accurate record of all money received and paid out in a ledger book provided by the governing body;
(b) Publish an annual financial statement;
(c) Deposit all public moneys and sign all checks of the city;
(d) Pay out city funds only upon orders or warrants properly signed by the mayor and city clerk;
(e) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the governing body or the Kansas statutes.
(K.S.A. 10-803; K.S.A. 12-1608; Code 1991)
There is hereby established the office of city attorney. No person shall be eligible for the office of city attorney who is not an attorney at law admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the State of Kansas. The city attorney shall be charged with the general direction and supervision of the legal affairs of the city. The city attorney shall:
(a) Attend meetings of the city governing body when so directed to attend by the governing body;
(b) Advise the city governing body and all officers of the city upon such legal questions affecting the city and its offices as may be submitted to him or her;
(c) When requested by the city governing body give opinions in writing upon any such questions;
(d) Draft such ordinances, contracts, leases, easements, conveyances and other instruments in writing as may be submitted to him or her in the regular transaction of affairs of the city;
(e) Approve all ordinances of the city as to form and legality;
(f) Attend planning commission and board of zoning appeals meetings when so directed by the boards;
(g) Appear and prosecute all violations of city ordinances in municipal court when his or her services shall be required;
(h) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the governing body and the Kansas statutes;
(i) When duly appointed, the position of city attorney shall be considered a public officer of the city.
(Code 1991; Code 2023)
The city engineer shall be a licensed professional engineer in the State of Kansas. He or she may be responsible for:
(a) The design and specifications for all city streets, sewers, water lines, public buildings and other public facilities;
(b) The inspection of all public works projects including streets, sewers, water lines and other public facilities;
(c) The general supervision of the maintenance and repair of all public facilities.
(Code 1991)
The same person may be appointed to more than one appointive office, or employed in more than one department, except that the same person shall not be appointed to incompatible offices. Salaries or wages of such persons shall be prorated between the proper funds of the several offices or departments.
(Code 1991)
(a) No city officer or employee shall be signatory upon, discuss in an official capacity, vote on any issue concerning or otherwise participate in his or her capacity as a public official or employee in the making of any contract with any person or business:
(1) In which the officer or employee owns a legal or equitable interest exceeding $5,000 or five percent, whichever is less, individually or collectively with his or her spouse; or
(2) From which the officer or employee receives, in the current or immediately preceding or succeeding calendar year, any salary, gratuity, other compensation or a contract for or promise or expectation of any such salary, gratuity or other compensation or remuneration having a dollar value of $1,000 or more; or
(3) In which he or she shall hold the position of officer or director, irrespective of the amount of compensation received from or ownership held in the business.
(b) The prohibitions contained in subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to the following:
(1) Contracts let after competitive bidding has been solicited by published notice; and
(2) Contracts for property or services for which the price or rate is fixed by law.
(K.S.A. 75-4301; Code 1991)
(a) There is hereby created the Office of the City Administrator.
(b) The City Administrator shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council.
(c) The City Administrator shall be the Chief Administrator and Financial Officer of the City and shall be responsible to the Mayor and Council for administration of the City affairs.
(d) The City Administrator shall exercise responsibilities and duties as prescribed by state statute and City Ordinances and lawfully delegated by the Mayor and/or Council.
(1) Overall management, direction and supervision of all departments, agencies and services of the City.
(2) Supervise, direct and assign the duties of all appointive officers and employees.
(3) Recommend to the Governing Body the hiring and termination of appointed officers.
(4) Establish administrative procedures to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the City.
(5) Furnish the general public information on municipal ordinances.
(6) Prepare and submit the annual budget to the Council.
(7) Keep the Council fully and timely advised as to the financial conditions of the city.
(8) Exercise general supervision and control over all city purchases and expenditures in accordance with the budget and such policies as may be established by the Council.
(9) Develop and prepare such planning documents as the governing body shall request.
(10) Attend all council meetings and be prepared to advise the council on the items for discussion. Attend other meetings as directed by the governing body.
(11) Cause to have an annual inventory conducted by all departments of the City.
(12) Provide information to the City Council and make recommendations to the governing body as deemed necessary for the good and efficient operation of the City and its services.
(13) Maintain current knowledge of State and Federal grant programs, advising the City Council and Mayor of the same and prepare, submit and monitor financial grants and applications.
(14) To issue orders and directives to all city officers and departments as requested by the Council and receive reports and communications through the administrator’s office.
(15) Initiate investigations and conduct inquiries related to citizen complaints concerning the conduct of employees and the quality of municipal services.
(16) Regularly consult with the Mayor and Council so as to insure continued and open communication on all matters affecting the City.
(17) Perform such other duties as the Mayor and/or Council may direct.
(18) When duly appointed, the position of city administrator shall be considered a public officer of the city.
(Ord. 2018-02; Ord. 2021-05; Code 2023)