The county manager, in a county which has adopted either of the appointed forms of county managership, shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners. The county manager shall be appointed with regard to merit only and need not be a resident of the county at the time of appointment. No member of the board shall be chosen county manager during the time for which the member is elected nor shall the managerial powers be given to a person who at the same time is filling an elective office. The manager shall not be appointed for a definite tenure but shall be removable at the pleasure of the board. The county manager shall devote full time to county manager work. The county manager's compensation shall be fixed by the board. In the absence or disability of the manager, the board may designate some responsible person to perform the duties of the office.
11-09-10.1. Election of county manager - Tenure of office - Compensation - Vacancy - Removal - Recall. The board of county commissioners in a county which has adopted either of the elected forms of county managership shall appoint a temporary county manager until a person shall be elected to such office at the next general election following the effective date of said form of government. The person so elected shall take office on the first day of January following the general election and serve for a term of four years. The compensation for the office shall be fixed by the board of county commissioners. A vacancy in the office of county manager shall be determined and filled pursuant to chapter 44-02. The elected county manager shall be subject to removal and recall as provided by general law for other elected county officials.