Opinion ID: 171227
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The 1995 Town Resolution

Text: The town resolution provides: The Town Attorney shall be hired and may be removed by the mayor, by and with the advice and consent of a majority of the Town Council. Resolution 95-10, available at http:// www.townofjackson. com/ (follow Jackson Government menu hyperlink; then follow Ordinances & Resolutions hyperlink; then follow Search Municipal Resolutions hyperlink; then enter 95-10 into search box; then follow Resolution 95-10 hyperlink). The Carlson court indicated that limiting phrase[s], Carlson, 681 P.2d at 1336, such as by and with the advice and consent of the city council, id. at 1335 n. 1, and according to conditions fixed by the governing body could not be taken to hamstring the mayor in controlling his executive duties, id. at 1336. The court further held that a town officer does not have a property right in the office. Carlson, 681 P.2d at 1337. We note that the town resolution provides that the town attorney shall be . . . subject to all Town of Jackson personnel policies, regulations and procedures, except as hereinafter provided. Resolution 95-10. However, we conclude the express resolution language giving the mayor the power to remove the town attorney trumps any conflicting general town policies. Thus, based on the resolution's express language and Wyoming case law interpreting similar language, we conclude the town resolution provided the mayor with the power to remove Plaintiff at will. Therefore, we hold that the 1995 town resolution does not provide Plaintiff with a constitutionally protected interest in continued public employment.