Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City Attorney Stewart recommends pay-classification ordinance, says mayor may hire within approved budget
Summary
At a special Southgate City Council meeting Oct. 20, 2025, City Attorney Stewart told the council that the mayor, under the mayor–council form, hires and supervises staff and need not seek council approval for hires made within the approved budget; he recommended the council adopt an ordinance establishing a pay classification plan to avoid confusion.
City Attorney Stewart told the City of Southgate Council on Oct. 20, 2025, that in the mayor–council form of government the executive branch is responsible for hiring and supervising staff and that the council generally does not need to approve hires made within the approved budget. "As long as the Mayor operates within the approved budget, then council does not need to give approval," Stewart said.
Stewart framed his recommendation as a way to reduce confusion about personnel decisions. He urged the council to consider adopting an ordinance that would create a clear pay classification plan for city employees, saying that a formal classification ordinance would provide predictable structure for compensation and reduce disputes over whether specific hires require council sign‑off. No ordinance was introduced or voted on at the meeting; Stewart's recommendation was presented as legal and procedural guidance.
