While I certainly hope the Town of Christiansburg takes the opportunity to take a close look at what is needed in a Town Manager for a town this size, the more immediate concern is what happens as of August 1 when the current Town Manager is out of office. It looks like the Town Charter will make it interesting:
Here's what the Town Charter says:
(For links to the Town Code and Charter ... as well as a lot of other town documents * videos of the meetings ... go to my main blog site at:
http://myvaresources.com/blogs/depotdazed/ or website
http://myvaresources.com)
1) He has 10 days in which to deliver all property, books and papers:
§
2.1
2. Surrender of Papers and Property.--If any person, having been an
officer of said town, shall not within ten days after he shall have
vacated or been removed from office, and upon notification of request
of the council within such time as it may allow, deliver to his
successor in office all property, books and papers belonging to the
town or appertaining to such office, in possession or under his
control, he shall forfeit and pay to the town a sum not exceeding
five hundred dollars, to be sued for and recovered with costs; and
all books, records and documents used in any office by virtue of any
provision of this act, or of any ordinances or order of the town
council, or any superior officer of said town, shall be deemed the
property of said town and appertaining to said office, and the chief
officer thereof shall be held responsible therefor. (1954, c. 240)
2) This raises the big question of who his 'successor' is going to be if the job has not been advertised and the position filled by that time. The Town Charter again comes to the rescue:
§
2.14.
Duties of Mayor.--The mayor shall preside at the meetings of the
council, voting only in case of a tie, and perform such other duties
as may be prescribed by this charter and by general law and such as
may be imposed by the council consistent with his office. He shall
perform the duties of the town manager during the absence of the town
manager or while the office of town manager is vacant. He shall have
power to investigate the acts of the various town officers, members
of the police, fire and public works departments and all other
departments of the town government, whether elected or appointed. The
mayor shall have and exercise all power and authority conferred by
general law on mayors of towns and not inconsistent with this
charter; and shall, from time to time, recommend to the council such
measures which he may deem needful for the welfare of the town. (1
954, c. 240; 1968, c. 173)
Clearly, it will be Mayor Ballengee who is taking over the Town Manager's roles until such time as the position is filled. Christiansburg is lucky to have an Assistant Town Manager, Barry Helms, who is very experienced to be the 'right-hand' of the Mayor.
This should make for a fairly smooth transition period, providing ample time for the Town Council to begin development of a job description, job advertising, and the interviews required to find the 'right person'.
Perhaps the Council will even choose to add some citizens to the review committee as they did with the position of Police Chief. Or, if they choose to handle it like the Rescue Squad, let the members (citizens) elect the person they want to fill the position:) (Wouldn't that be a hoot!)
Time will tell, and I'll be watching to see what is done. I am sure it will be an interesting process however it is done.
An additional side note to this is also found in the Town Charter:
§
2.06.
Compensation.--The council shall by ordinance or resolution fix the
salaries of all officers and employees of the town elected or
appointed by it, or appointed by its authority and may so far as is
not inconsistent with the provisions of the charter, define the
powers and prescribe the duties of all such officers and employees.
To effectuate the powers conferred by general laws as well as the
powers herein specifically granted, the council may employ all such
persons as may be necessary. (1 954, c. 240)
and in the Town Code:
Sec.
2-3. Record book for ordinances and resolutions--To be kept by Clerk
of Council.
The
Clerk of the Council shall enter in a well-bound book copies of all
ordinances and resolutions passed by the Council. The book in which
such ordinances and resolutions are thus entered shall be known as
the "Ordinances and Resolutions of the Town of Christiansburg."
The Clerk of the Council shall index such book. (Code 1972, §
2-3)