Liability and Jurisdiction
- The city is not liable for damages due to officers or employees' failure or negligence in enforcing laws.
- Jurisdiction extends to the city's corporate limits, plus six miles sea zone and three miles land zone for police purposes.
- City court has concurrent jurisdiction with other courts in specified zones.
Elective Offices and Qualifications
- Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and councilors are elected at large for four-year terms.
- They must be qualified registered voters and hold no other public office except limited exceptions.
Removal and Disqualifications of Officers
- The President can remove officers for disloyalty after notice and hearing.
- Officers/employees committing bribery, fraud, or coercion for office or employment forfeit their position.
- Prohibited transactions include business dealings with the city that could cause conflict of interest.
Full-Time Employment and Investigations
- Appointive city officers/employees must devote full office hours exclusively to duties.
- The City Council or Mayor may investigate city affairs upon sworn complaint.
Official Bonds and Contract Limitations
- City Treasurer and other required officers must give surety bonds.
- Personal service contracts shall not exceed the Mayor's term and must be approved by ordinance.
Taxation and Debt Limits
- Annual real estate tax limited to 2% ad valorem; an additional 1% may be levied for capital improvement fund.
- Debt may not exceed 20% of the assessed taxable real estate value, net of sinking funds and reserves.
Executive Branch: Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Administrator, and Secretary
- Mayor: Chief executive, 30 years old, resident for 5 years; controls departments, enforces laws, represents city, prepares budget, appoints officers.
- Vice-Mayor: Assumes Mayor's duties if needed; elected for four years; succession regulated.
- City Administrator: May be established to assist the Mayor with coordination, budgeting, personnel, studies, and administrative duties.
- Secretary to the Mayor: Custodian of records and seal, attests documents; appointed by Mayor.
City Council: Composition, Organization, and Powers
- Nine councilors elected at large; elect a chairman annually.
- Legislative body responsible for ordinances, resolutions, budgets, and appropriations.
- Has comprehensive powers to tax, regulate businesses, maintain public safety, and oversee city development.
- Council meetings are public except by majority vote to close.
- Ordinances require approval by Mayor, with veto and override procedures.
Departments and Their Heads
- Departments include Engineering and Public Works, Health, Law, Finance, Assessment, Police, Fire, and Public Services.
- Department heads supervise operations under Mayor's control; certify payments and make annual reports.
Law Department and City Court
- City fiscal and assistants serve as legal advisers and prosecutors.
- City court with five branches exercises jurisdiction over city ordinance violations and specific criminal cases.
- Procedures for appeals, administration of oaths, preliminary investigations, and fines detailed.
Finance and Assessment Departments
- City Treasurer acts as chief fiscal officer, collects taxes, manages funds, and prepares financial reports.
- City Assessor appraises and assesses real estate for taxation; maintains records and handles exemptions.
- Property owners must declare real estate acquisitions/improvements.
- Procedures for assessments, appeals, tax collection, delinquency penalties, and tax sales provided.
Special Assessments and National Road Improvements
- City may levy special assessments for public works benefiting specific districts.
- Procedures for ordinance approval, publication, hearings, assessment, and payment govern special taxes.
Police and Fire Departments
- Chief of Police oversees police operations, enforces laws, supervises jail.
- Police officers have authority to serve processes, make arrests, and maintain order.
- Chief of Fire Department manages fire services, investigates fires, and enforces fire safety regulations.
Department of Public Services
- Oversees sanitation, public building maintenance, garbage disposal, and public health nuisances.
- Authority to charge fees and recommend ordinances.
Relationship to Other Government Bodies
- City Auditor appointed jointly by National Government and city to audit accounts.
- City schools managed by a City Superintendent under the Director of Public Schools.
Special Provisions
- Prohibition and removal of offensive commercial signs.
- City entitled to share in national taxes equivalent to provincial shares.
- City may own and operate public utilities, set rates, and contract operations.
- Engineering fund considered city funds.
- Ordinances and regulations in force before charter continue unless repealed.
- Election duties under Election Law assigned to city officials.
- City remains part of provincial congressional district.
- Repealing clause and severability of charter provisions.