City of Dover, NH Article I General Provisions

§ 5-1 Legislative authority.

A. This Administrative Code is established in accordance with the provisions of RSA 49-C:21. The Administrative Code may be amended from time to time pursuant to the provisions of RSA 49-C:21.

B. Should any section or provision of the Administrative Code be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of this Administrative Code as a whole or any part thereof other than the part so declared to be unconstitutional or invalid.

§ 5-2 Departments.

The administrative service of the City shall consist of the following departments, and the department heads shall be known by the titles shown:

Department	Department Head
Executive	City Manager
Planning and Community Development	Director of Planning and Community Development
Community Services	Director of Community Services
Finance	Finance Director
Fire and Rescue	Fire and Rescue Chief
Public Library	Director of Public Library
Police	Police Chief
Recreation	Director of Recreation
Public Welfare	Director of Public Welfare

§ 5-3 Powers and duties of department heads.

A. Department heads shall be responsible for the courteous and efficient operation of their department. They shall perform all the duties and exercise all the powers conferred upon their office by applicable laws, ordinances and resolutions.

B. Department heads may prescribe departmental rules and regulations not inconsistent with general law, the City Charter, this Administrative Code, and the provisions of the Merit Plan for the administration of their various departments, conduct of the employees and the proper performance of the department's business.

C. Department heads may, with the approval of the City Manager, establish such departmental divisions and subunits as may be deemed desirable in the interest of economy and efficiency and in accordance with sound administrative principles and practices.

D. Department heads shall be responsible for the operation of their department in a courteous and friendly manner and in cooperation with all other City departments in order to best serve the residents of Dover.

E. Department heads shall be responsible for satisfactory maintenance and care of all City property and buildings assigned into their department.

F. Department heads shall be responsible for preparing and submitting both routine and special reports on the operation of their department to the City Manager or to any state or federal agency as required.

G. At such time as may be requested by the City Manager, department heads shall submit an itemized estimate of the expenditures for the next fiscal year for their department for use in preparation of the proposed budget for said year.

H. Department heads shall be responsible for following the provisions of this Administrative Code establishing a purchasing and control system with respect to purchases and contracts for their department.

§ 5-4 Appointment of department heads; compensation.

A. All department heads shall be appointed, as provided by the City Charter, for indefinite terms, on the basis of merit and fitness to perform their duties and may be removed by the City Manager for misconduct or inefficiency as provided for in the City Charter, Merit Plan and state statute.

B. The compensation of all department heads shall be fixed by the City Council through the Merit Plan.

§ 5-5 Department staff.

A. Department heads may establish subordinate positions and make appointments and removals as may be necessary, within the limitations of the appropriations provided and subject to the provisions of the City Charter, the Merit Plan and the approval of the City Manager.

B. All employees shall be under the immediate supervision of their respective department heads, and all employees in the administrative service shall be compensated on the basis of a uniform pay plan.

§ 5-6 Administrative office hours.

A. All administrative offices of the City of Dover, whether located in City Hall or elsewhere in the City, shall be open at least 40 hours per week at times which are convenient for the conduct of business by the citizens of Dover and others wishing to do business with the City.

B. The specific hours of operation shall be established by the City Council by resolution, with the advice of the City Manager.

§ 5-7 Authority and functions of the City Manager.

Pursuant to § C5-5 of the City Charter, the City Manager shall have the following authority and shall perform the following functions:

A. The City Manager shall be the administrative head of the City and shall perform all the duties and have all the responsibilities prescribed by the City Charter, by ordinance, resolution and state law.

B. The City Manager shall supervise the heads of all departments established by this code and shall have the power to suspend and discipline, and to perform or delegate duties and responsibilities to, the department heads.

C. The City Manager may prescribe such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the City Charter and City ordinances as he or she may deem necessary for the conduct of the various departments, and he or she may investigate and inquire into the affairs of any department at any time.