Title 9 — MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

If a petition signed by fifteen percent of the registered voters of any municipality, as determined by the total number of registered voters at the last preceding general election, is presented requesting that an election be called to vote on the question of employing a city mana…

The city manager must be chosen by the governing body on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications, with special reference to actual experience in, or knowledge of, accepted practices in respect to the duties of office. The governing body may establish residency re…

The governing body shall appoint the city manager for an indefinite term, but may suspend the manager by resolution of intent to remove the manager approved by a majority vote of all the members of the governing body. The resolution of intent to remove the manager must set forth …

In case of the absence or disability of the manager or in case of suspension as provided in § 9-10-11 , the governing body may designate a qualified administrative officer of the municipality to perform the duties of the manager during the absence, disability, or suspension. Sour…

The city manager is responsible to the governing body for the proper administration of all affairs of the municipality. Except as otherwise provided by law, the manager has power to appoint and remove all officers and employees in the administrative service of the municipality an…

Except as otherwise provided in this section, the city manager and every officer of the municipality, whether appointed by the manager or the governing body, shall furnish a bond to the municipality in the form and amount as may be required by the governing body. The bond must be…

The city manager shall: (1) See that municipal laws, ordinances, and resolutions are enforced; (2) Supervise the administration of the affairs of the municipality; (3) Make recommendations to the governing body concerning the affairs of the municipality as may seem prudent; (4) K…

Except for the purpose of inquiry the governing body and its members shall deal with the administrative service solely through the manager, and it is a Class 2 misdemeanor for any member of the governing body to give orders to any subordinate of the manager. Upon conviction of a …

It is a Class 2 misdemeanor for the city manager, or an officer or employee appointed by the manager, to solicit any person to vote for or against any candidate for alderman or commissioner of the municipality by which the manager is employed at any municipal election. Source: SL…

Provisions of the statutes governing municipalities inconsistent with this chapter are inapplicable to municipalities employing a city manager. Source: SL 1935, ch 158 , § 6; SDC 1939, § 45.0905; SL 1992, ch 60 , § 2; SL 2025, ch 38 , § 54.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, a contract of the municipality is not valid unless the contract has been authorized by a vote of the governing body at an official meeting, is executed in the name of the municipality by the mayor, is countersigned by the finance offi…

Source: SL 1935, ch 158 , § 2; SDC 1939, § 45.0901; SL 2025, ch 38 , § 66.

When authorized by a majority vote of all voters voting at a special election called for that purpose, pursuant to § 9-10-1 , the governing body of any municipality must employ a city manager and fix the manager's compensation. Source: SL 1917, ch 303 , § 8; SL 1918, ch 57 , §§ 1…

In municipalities under the aldermanic form employing a city manager, the mayor and aldermen must be elected in the same manner as municipalities not employing a city manager. Source: SL 1935, ch 158 , § 6; SDC 1939, § 45.0905; SL 1992, ch 60 , § 2; SL 2025, ch 38 , § 41.

In all commission-governed municipalities employing a city manager, the number of at-large commissioners is nine, each with a three-year term of office. At the first election, nine commissioners must be elected, three to serve until the next annual election, three to serve until …

Within sixty days after an election directing the employment of a city manager in any commission-governed municipality, a special election must be called and held to elect the nine at-large commissioners. A plurality vote in the election of commissioners is sufficient to elect th…

The mayor of any municipality employing a city manager: (1) Is the presiding officer of the council or commission, and in municipalities having the aldermanic form of government, has the powers and duties of an alderman at large; (2) Is the recognized head of the municipality for…

The governing body of any municipality employing a manager shall hold regular meetings on the day and time adopted by ordinance, with at least one regular meeting per calendar month. The governing body may, by ordinance, determine the manner in which special meetings may be calle…

The finance officer, attorney, and library board of trustees must be appointed by the governing body and may be removed at any time by the governing body. The finance officer shall appoint all deputies and employees in the finance office. All other officers and employees, includi…