A.
Establishment of Office.
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There shall be an office of the City Controller
directed by a City Controller who shall be elected in the manner provided
by the State Election Law for a four-year term commencing the first
business day in January of the year following the election.
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B.
Eligibility and Compensation.
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The City Controller shall be and have been,
for at least one (1) year, a registered voter of the City and must
retain residency during the term. The Controller shall be a competent
accountant. The compensation for the Controller shall be established
by the Council following the process detailed under § C-2.04
of this Charter.
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C.
Powers and Duties.
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The Controller shall:
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(1)
Pre-audit and sign all warrants for the payment of
money from the City Treasury when satisfied that an appropriation
exists and proper procedures have been followed;
(2)
Review and comment upon the Annual Budget;
(3)
At the request of the Mayor, Council, or City Administrator,
conduct performance audits to assess the effectiveness of departments,
agencies, and programs;
(4)
Serve as a member of the Audit Committee as required under § C-5.11 and assist with all audits conducted by independent auditors;
(5)
Report to the Mayor and Council on progress on the
implementation of any recommendations found in the annual independent
audit and management letter;
(6)
Review and comment to the Mayor and Council upon internal
control procedures and report annually to the Mayor and Council on
the status of internal controls;
(7)
Manage the office of the Controller;
(8)
Issue subpoenas and administer oaths as needed to
fulfill these duties; and
(9)
Attend those meetings of the Council when requested
by Council or selected by the Controller, with the right to participate
in discussion but without a vote.
D.
Prohibitions.
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The prohibitions listed in § C-2.05,
applying to the Mayor and other Council Members, shall also apply
to the Controller, and violating these prohibitions shall be a violation
of this Charter.
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E.
Vacancies; Forfeiture of Office; Filling Vacancies.
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All provisions of § C-2.06 shall govern vacancies, forfeiture of office and filling vacancies in the position of City Controller.
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F.
Deputy Controller.
(1)
Appointment by Controller. The City Controller may
appoint or remove a Deputy Controller who, in case of the sickness,
absence, or inability of the Controller to perform the duties and
responsibilities of the office, shall have those same powers and responsibilities.
In the event of such an appointment, the Controller shall be responsible
for all acts of that Deputy.
(2)
Appointment of Temporary Deputy by Council. In case
of the sickness, absence, or inability of the Controller to perform
the duties of the office, when no Deputy has been appointed by the
Controller the Council may appoint a Deputy Controller to perform
those duties and responsibilities during the period of inability or
until the Controller appoints a Deputy.
(3)
In the event of a vacancy or forfeiture in the office
of Controller, the Deputy Controller shall continue to serve for thirty
(30) days or until a new Controller has been selected.
Following nomination by the Mayor, the City Council, by a majority vote of its total membership, shall appoint a City Solicitor for an indefinite term and set the Solicitor's compensation. The Solicitor shall be a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and experienced in municipal law. The Solicitor shall serve as chief legal advisor to the Mayor, Council, Administrator, and all City departments, offices, and agencies, and shall represent the City in all legal proceedings. The Solicitor shall perform any other duties prescribed by state law, by this Charter, or by ordinance. The Solicitor may be removed from office in accordance with the procedures established in § C-3.01C. Any Assistant Solicitors shall be appointed and removed in the same manner as provided in this section.
There shall be a Department of Finance directed
by the Director of Finance. The Director of Finance shall be appointed
by the City Administrator, subject to approval of the Mayor. The Director
of Finance shall be qualified to become a Certified Government Finance
Officer as established by the Government Finance Officers Association.
The Department of Finance shall be responsible
for:
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(1)
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Receipt, expenditure, investment, custody and
control of City funds and assets;
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(2)
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Financial accounting and reporting, which shall
be conducted according to generally accepted accounting principles
(GAAP);
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(3)
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Administration of payroll, employee benefits,
and pensions;
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(4)
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Acquisition and administration of materials,
supplies and equipment;
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(5)
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Preparation and administration of the City's
budget as assigned by the City Administrator; and
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(6)
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Other financial management matters assigned
by the City Administrator.
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A.
Administrative Code.
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City Council shall adopt and may amend an Administrative
Code, which shall set forth the organization and administrative structure
and procedures of the City. This Code shall establish departments,
offices and agencies, in addition to those created by this Charter,
and may prescribe the functions of all departments, offices, and agencies.
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The Administrative Code may:
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(1)
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Establish qualifications and prohibitions for
department directors;
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(2)
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Adopt uniform administrative procedures and
regulations; and
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(3)
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Adopt other rules, regulations, and procedures
appropriate for efficient administration.
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B.
Merit Personnel Code.
(1)
Merit Principle.
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All appointment and promotions of City officers
and employees shall be made solely on the basis of merit and fitness,
demonstrated by a valid and reliable examination or other evidence
of competence.
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(2)
Merit Personnel Code.
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Consistent with applicable federal and state
laws, the City Council shall adopt and may amend, by ordinance, a
code for the establishment, regulation and maintenance of a merit
system, governing personnel policies necessary to effective administration
of the employees of the City's departments, offices, and agencies,
including, but not limited to, classification and pay plans, examinations,
force reduction, removals, working conditions, provisional and exempt
appointments, in-service training, grievances, and relationships with
employee organizations.
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