§ 9-2. Department heads.

(a)

Generally. Department heads shall be appointed as provided in the city charter and/or as established in the annual budget of the city. All department heads appointed by the city council and all department heads whose appointment is approved by the city council shall work under the direction of the city manager.

(b)

Department heads enumerated.

(1)

City secretary/internal auditor.

a.

Office created. There is hereby created the department of city secretary/internal audit to be directed by the city secretary/internal auditor. The city secretary/internal auditor must be a person knowledgeable in public financial and fiscal theory, and the principles of municipal accounting, and internal auditing. The city secretary/internal auditor shall be appointed by the city council. The city council may terminate the employment agreement at its will and pleasure by a vote of not less than three members of the city council. The action of the city council in removing the city secretary/internal auditor shall be final, it being the intention of this section to vest all authority and fix all responsibility for such removal in the city council.

b.

Bond required. The city secretary/internal auditor shall execute a bond, payable to the city, as required by law, and the city council shall determine the amount of bond. Such bond shall be a corporate surety bond and the city shall pay all cost, premium and expense connected therewith.

c.

Duties generally. The city secretary/internal auditor shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

1.

Post notices of all city council meetings, workshops, executive sessions, commissions and board meetings. Attend every meeting of the city council, and keep accurate minutes of the meetings.

2.

Maintains records and is custodian of ordinances, contract agreements, deeds, easements, resolutions abstracts, city seal, payroll records and any documents required by the federal, state or local law to maintain as records.

3.

Attests mayor's signature.

4.

Coordinates all city elections and special elections and acts as election judge for absentee voting.

5.

Assists auditors with information for city audit.

6.

Provides information to public concerning all aspects of city business.

7.

Oversees mail room and copy center.

8.

Maintains all fixed asset records.

9.

Monitoring and examination of the city's accounting and property records, funds, general accounting system, and records of persons authorized to receive or disperse money or other property belonging to city and of funds for which the city is responsible as trustee.

10.

Appraisal, evaluation and verification of the adequacy of the city's accounting system and system of internal controls.

11.

Reporting to the city council and city manager any irregularities or failures to maintain adequate and accurate records or system of internal controls.

12.

Making such studies and reports as the city council shall request or approve as to the efficiency, economy and effectiveness of the programs, projects or departments, reporting such data to the city council and city manager.

13.

Performs related work as required by the nature of the position.

(2)

City engineer. There is hereby established the office of city engineer who shall be appointed and/or removed by the city manager with the approval of the city council. The city engineer shall prepare plans and specifications for public works and utility projects, review subdivision plats and engineering plans, conduct preconstruction conferences with contractors, administer construction contracts, prepare and update mapping and perform other work which involves conventional civil engineering practice. The city engineer shall be registered as a professional civil engineer in the State of Texas.

(3)

Water and sewer superintendent. There is hereby established the office of water and sewer superintendent who shall be appointed and/or removed by the city manager with the approval of the city council. The water and sewer superintendent shall supervise the operation of the municipal water and sewer systems including the treatment plants, pump stations, lift stations and collection, distribution and storage systems. The water and sewer superintendent shall hold Grade A certificates of competency in water and sewerage as issued by the state department of health.

(4)

Street and sanitation superintendent. There is hereby created the office of street and sanitation superintendent who shall be appointed and removed by the city manager with the approval of the city council. The street and sanitation superintendent shall supervise the construction and maintenance of streets, alleys, bridges, culverts and storm drainage systems, and the solid waste collection and disposal activities of the city. The street and sanitation superintendent shall hold a Grade A certification in solid waste management issued by the state department of health.

(5)

Chief of police. There is hereby created the office of chief of police who shall be appointed by the city council from recommendation by the city manager or any councilmember. The chief of police may be removed at any time by a majority vote of the city council. The chief of police shall be responsible for the administration of a comprehensive program for crime prevention and law enforcement within the jurisdiction of the city. The chief of police shall be, and is hereby invested with all the power and authority given to him as a peace officer under the laws of the State of Texas in taking cognizance of, and in enforcing the criminal laws of the state and the ordinances and regulations of the city. The chief of police shall meet all peace officer qualifications and hold an advanced law enforcement certification prescribed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.

(6)

Parks and recreation director. There is hereby created the office of parks and recreation director who shall be appointed and removed by the city manager. The parks and recreation director shall be responsible for planning, coordinating and directing the parks and recreation programs of the city and assist in planning for the use and design of park and recreation areas and facilities and act in an advisory capacity to the parks and recreation board. The parks and recreation director shall have a bachelor's degree in horticulture, landscape architecture, park or recreation administration, or related field.

(7)

Section 8 director. There is hereby created the office of section 8 director who shall be appointed and removed by the city manager. The section 8 director shall be responsible for the implementation and operation of the city's section 8 existing housing payments program which provides rental assistance to low income families so they can afford safe and decent housing. The section 8 director shall also assist and help coordinate other city housing programs and social services as may be required by the city manager.

(8)

Community development director. There is hereby created the office of community development director who shall be appointed and removed by the city manager. The community development director shall be responsible for coordinating all community development program activities funded under state and federal grant programs and administering the city's housing rehabilitation programs. In addition, the community development director may be required to assist in the code enforcement program under the general direction of the chief building official.

(9)

Garage superintendent. There is hereby created the office of garage superintendent who shall be appointed and removed by the city manager. The garage superintendent shall supervise and assist in the general servicing and maintenance of all city-owned vehicles, machinery and equipment.

(10)

Financial director.

a.

There is hereby created the office of financial director who shall be appointed by the city manager with the approval of the city council. The financial director position is responsible for all accounting and financial matters including the annual report, budget preparation, investments, debt management, financial reporting, bond and coupon register, utility billing, and meter reading.

b.

Bond required. The financial director shall execute a bond, payable to the city, and the city council shall determine the amount of bond. Such bond shall be a corporate surety bond and the city shall pay all cost, premium and expense connected.

(11)

Reserved.

(12)

Municipal development director. There is hereby created the office of municipal development director who shall be appointed and removed by the city manager upon confirmation and approval of the city council.

The municipal development director shall be responsible for all compliance with rules and regulations relating to comprehensive planning for the City of Terrell, Texas.

(Ord. No. 1442, 4-1-86; Ord. No. 1868, § I, 4-1-97; Ord. No. 2166, Art. I, 4-1-03)