NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1967 SESSION

CHAPTER 159
HOUSE BILL 309

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR AN ELECTION IN THE CITY OF ROCKINGHAM UPON ADOPTION OF THE COUNCIL‑MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Section 1. The City Council of the City of Rockingham may at any time call a special election for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of the City the question whether to adopt the Council‑Manager Form of Government by amending the Charter of the City of Rockingham, Chapter 1206 of the Session Laws of 1963, as provided in Section 4 of this Act.
Sec. 2. The laws, rules, and regulations governing the conduct of regular City elections, as specified in Article V of the City Charter, shall govern the special election herein authorized.
At such special election, ballots shall be provided containing the words "For Council‑Manager Form of Government", and "Against Council‑Manager Form of Government", with appropriate squares so that each voter may designate by his cross (X) mark his preference.
Sec. 3. If a majority of the votes cast at such special election shall be "For Council‑Manager Form of Government", then Section 4 of this Act shall become effective on a date to be fixed by the City Council, but in no event later than the ninetieth day following the date of such special election. If a majority of the votes cast at such special election shall be "Against Council‑Manager Form of Government", then Section 4 of this Act shall have no force and effect.
Sec. 4. Subject to the provisions of Section 3 of this Act, the Charter of the City of Rockingham, as enacted by Chapter 1206 of the Session Laws of 1963, is hereby amended as follows:
(1)	by rewriting Section 6.1 thereof to read as follows:
"Sec. 6.1. Appointment of City Manager; Salaries. (a) The City Council shall appoint a City Manager who shall be the administrative head of the City government responsible for the administration of all departments. The City Manager shall be appointed with regard to merit only, and he need not be a resident of the City at the time of his appointment, but shall reside therein during his tenure. He shall hold office during the pleasure of the City Council and shall receive such compensation as it shall fix by ordinance.
"The City Manager shall (1) be the administrative head of the City government; (2) see that within the City the laws of the State and the ordinances, resolutions and regulations of the City Council are faithfully executed; (3) attend all meetings of the City Council, and recommend for adoption such measures as he shall deem expedient; (4) make reports to the City Council from time to time upon the affairs of the City, and keep the Council fully advised of the City's financial condition and its future financial needs; (5) appoint and remove all employees of the City except the City Attorney and the City Clerk, who shall be appointed by the City Council, and report all appointments and removals made by him to the Council at its next meeting; and (6) perform all other duties as may be required by the City Council.
"(b)	Salaries and compensation of all officials and employees shall be fixed by the City Council."
(2)	by striking out of line 2 of Section 6.4, of line 3 of Section 6.4, and of line 1 of Section 6.5 thereof the word "Council" and inserting in lieu thereof in each instance the word "Manager".
Sec. 5. All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.
Sec. 6. Subject to the provisions of Section 3 hereof, this Act shall be effective upon its ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 7th day of April, 1967.