§ 26. Appointment of city manager; written contract.

The city commission shall appoint a city manager, who shall have the powers and perform the duties provided in this Charter. No city commissioner shall be appointed city manager during the term for which the commissioner was elected, nor within one (1) year after the expiration of the commissioner's term. The city manager will be hired by the city under a written employment contract, the terms of which must be approved by an affirmative vote of at least three (3) commissioners before said contract can be effective. In no event shall the city manager be hired pursuant to a written employment contract for a term of employment in excess of four (4) years. At the expiration of such contract, the city commission must decide by an affirmative vote of at least three (3) commissioners either to retain the city manager pursuant to a written employment contract or terminate the city manager.