House Bill 883

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 21-9-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CITY MANAGERS MUST POSSESS CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO HOLD THE POSITION OF CITY MANAGER; TO PROVIDE THAT THOSE WHO SERVE AS CITY MANAGER BEFORE JULY 1, 2004, SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO POSSESS SUCH QUALIFICATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 21-9-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

21-9-25. The first city council elected under the provisions of this chapter shall at its first meeting employ by majority vote of all its members a city manager who shall be the chief administrative officer of the city. The manager shall receive such compensation as the council shall determine. The person employed as city manager shall hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and shall have knowledgeable experience in any of the following fields: work projection, budget planning, accounting, purchasing, cost control, personnel management and road construction procedures. City managers appointed before July 1, 2004, shall not be required to meet the qualifications stated in this section as a condition of continued employment. The person employed as city manager shall not engage in any other business or profession so long as he or she shall hold the office of city manager. No person elected to the city council shall be eligible for the office of city manager during the term for which he was elected.

If the office of city manager becomes vacant, the city council shall appoint without delay a new manager or an acting manager to fill the office until a new manager is designated.

In case of the absence or disability of the city manager, the city council may appoint a qualified person to perform the duties of the city manager temporarily.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.