Chap. 367.—An ACT to amend and re-enact sections 2942, 2943, 2944 and 2945
of the Code of Virginia. [fH B 398}

Approved March 20, 1920.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That sec-
tions twenty-nine hundred and forty-two, twenty-nine hundred and
forty-three, twenty-nine hundred and forty-four and twenty-nine hun-
dred and forty-five of the Code of Virginia be amended and re-enacted
so as to read as follows:

Sec. 2942. City or town manager plan—Under this plan all
the legislative powers of the city or town, however conferred or pos-
sessed by it, are hereby vested in a council of three or five members,
in cities or towns of ten thousand inhabitants or under, and of from
five to eleven in cities of above ten thousand inhabitants. Said coun-
cil shall be elected at large for a term of four years, and shall have
the duty of appointing a city or town manager, as the case may be.
who need not be a resident of the city or town or of the State. The
1920. ] ACTS OF ASSEMBLY. } 555

council shall elect one of its members to preside over its meetings, who
shall be ex-officio mayor. He shall have the same powers and duties
as other members of the council with a vote but no veto; and he shall
be the official head of the city or town. With the exception of those
officers required by the Constitution of the State to be elected by popu-
lar vote, the members of the council shall be the only elective city or
town officials.

Sec. 2943. City or town manager; administrative and executive
powers.—The administrative and executive powers of the city or
town, including the power of appointment of officers and employees,
are vested in an official to be known as the city or town manager, as
the case may be, who shall be appointed by the council at its first
meeting, or as soon thereafter as practicable, and hold office during the
pleasure of the council; or for a term of three years unless sooner re-
moved by the council upon proven charges preferred for malfeasance
or misfeasance, neglect of duty or incompetency. And the council
may reappoint said city or town manager for a term not exceeding
six years, but who shall be subject at all times to removal by the
council on proven charges of malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty
or incompetence. He shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed
by the council by ordinance.

Sec. 2944. General duties of city or town manager—(1) The
city or town manager shall see that within the city or town the laws,
ordinances, resolutions and by-laws of the council are faithfully
executed; (2) attend all meetings of the council, and recommend for
adoption such measures as he shall deem expedient; (3) make reports
to the council from time to time upon the affairs of the city or town;
keep the council fully advised of the city’s or town’s financial condi-
tion and its future financial needs; (4) prepare and submit to the
council a tentative budget for the next fiscal year; (5) he shall per-
form such other duties as may be prescribed by the council not in con-
flict with the foregoing, and shall be bonded as the council may deem
necessary.

Sec. 2945. Appointment of city or town officers and employees.—
Such city or town officers and employees as the council shall deter-
mine are necessary for the proper administration of the city or town
shall be appointed, and may be removed by the city or town manager,
as the case fay be, except those in the financial, legal and judicial
departments and the clerical and other attendants of the council; but
the city or town manager shall report each appointment and removal
to the council at the next meeting thereof following any such appoint-
ment or removal.