Court Opinion

ID: 9606996
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 02:54:44.312692+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:02:36.767982
License: Public Domain

Gunter, Justice,
concurring specially.
It is my view that since the effective date of the reorganization ordinance, March 7, 1974, Chief Inman has not been a "director” of a department of the city. He therefore cannot be suspended by the mayor or tried by the council under the provisions of Section 3-301 (d), of the new charter. Only directors of departments can be suspended and tried by the council. All other personnel employed by the City, except the elected officials, the directors of departments, and the "Chief Administrative Officer,” are governed by Section 3-501 of the new charter. That provision provides that the council shall establish a system of civil service and enact rules and regulations governing the "employing and appointing and dismissing personnel.”
The court has held that the new charter is constitutional and that the reorganization ordinance was enacted. Since it is my view that Chief Inman is not a director of a department of the City, he is subject to dismissal pursuant only to the provisions of Sections 3-501 and 3-503 of the new charter.
I would therefore hold that after March 7, 1974, Chief Inman could not and cannot be suspended by the mayor and tried by the council.
With this explanation, I concur in the judgments rendered by the court.