Corporate Personality
- Established as a political body corporate with perpetual succession.
- Powers similar to those of a municipal corporation.
General Powers and Attributes
- Has a common seal.
- May acquire, lease, convey property.
- Can sue and be sued.
- Exempt from liability for enforcement failures but officials may be personally sued.
Police Jurisdiction
- Police jurisdiction extends to the city limits and three miles beyond the shore.
- Includes protection of water supply drainage areas.
- Concurrent jurisdiction with neighboring municipalities for police functions.
Executive Branch: Mayor and Vice-Mayor
- Mayor: Chief executive, elected at large, eligibility criteria, four-year term, salaries defined.
- Vice-Mayor: Elected in the same manner and qualifications as the Mayor.
- Vice-Mayor assumes duties during Mayor's incapacity or vacancy.
- Councilor with highest votes acts if both Mayor and Vice-Mayor incapacitated.
Mayor's Powers and Duties
- Enforcement of laws and ordinances.
- Safeguard city property and revenue.
- Initiate judicial proceedings.
- Supervise city employees.
- Examine city officials' records.
- Recommend measures to Municipal Board.
- Attend Municipal Board sessions without vote.
- Represent city legally.
- Budget submission.
- License issuance and revocation.
- Emergency powers.
- Ordinance approval or veto.
Secretary to the Mayor
- Appointed official managing city records and attestation of official documents.
- Holds office during Mayor's term.
- May perform department head duties.
Municipal Board: Composition and Powers
- Composed of Vice-Mayor (presiding officer) and eight councilors.
- Councilors elected at large; qualifications and terms specified.
- Can enact ordinances, fix taxes, fees, and regulate businesses.
- Exercise power over public safety, sanitation, and city public works.
- Conduct legislative sessions with quorum and voting rules.
- Ordinances subject to Mayor’s approval or veto, with override procedures.
City Departments
- Includes Finance, Engineering and Public Works, Law, Health, Police, Fire, Assessment.
- Mayor supervises and can reorganize departments.
Department Heads
- Control respective departments under Mayor’s supervision.
- Responsible for payroll certification and budget estimates.
Appointment and Conduct
- Appointments and removals conform to civil service laws.
- Disqualifications for corrupt practices and acts detrimental to public interest.
Prohibited Transactions for Officers
- Officers forbidden from engaging in financial transactions with city, or conflicts of interest.
- Violations are malfeasance resulting in forfeiture of office.
Relationship with National Agencies
- City Auditor appointed by Auditor General.
- Director of Public Schools and other national officials have corresponding jurisdiction.
Finance Department
- City Treasurer acts as fiscal officer.
- Duties include collection of taxes, licenses, rents.
- Accountable for city funds; reports monthly.
Public Works
- City Engineer supervises all public infrastructure including streets, bridges, and sanitation.
- Public works contracts handled via bidding rules.
Law Department
- City Fiscal prosecutes crimes and advises city government.
- Power to investigate violations and represent city in court.
Health Department
- City Health Officer supervises city health and sanitation.
- Enforces health laws and conducts inspections.
Police Department
- Chief of Police oversees law enforcement and public safety.
- Police have full powers within jurisdiction.
Fire Department
- Chief of Fire Department manages fire prevention and control.
- Has authority over fire safety regulations and investigations.
Assessment Department
- City Assessor responsible for taxable property valuation.
- Handles exemptions, declarations, listing, and real estate assessments.
- Board of Assessment Appeals hears disputes.
Real Property Taxation
- Annual tax on assessed real estate.
- Procedures for collection, delinquencies, seizure, sale, and redemption defined.
- Tax liens have priority over other claims.
Judicial Department: Municipal Court
- Municipal judge and auxiliary judge appointed.
- Jurisdiction as municipal courts of chartered cities.
- Procedures for ordinance violation prosecutions described.
Miscellaneous Provisions
- Ordinances of former municipality remain enforceable.
- City register of deeds and motor vehicle registrar established.
- Incumbent officials continue until successors elected.
Tax Allotment and Special Assessments
- City receives share of national internal revenue.
- Municipal Board may levy special assessments for public improvements.
- Procedures for protests, hearings, appeals, and collection established.
City Budget
- Detailed annual budget process from departments to Municipal Board.
- Supplemental budgets allowed.
- Automatic reenactment of existing budget on Municipal Board inaction.
Final Provisions
- Charter effectivity and separability clause.
- Budget appropriations for waterworks and hospital establishment.
- Continuity of governance maintained during transition.