Harrington charter bill sets no mayor or council term limits

Harrington's signed charter bill sets no cap on consecutive terms for the mayor or council members. This covers Harrington's elected mayor and City Council members. The mayor and council members must still win elections to serve another term.

For Harrington's bills and other claims, the city manager must approve payment, and the mayor or a council member the mayor approves must countersign. These rules cover Harrington's bills and other claims. The treasurer's rule also covers money the treasurer pays. The manager must find a claim proper and correctly calculated before issuing a check or payment order. For money the treasurer pays, a separate rule allows the vice mayor or a council member the mayor names to countersign when the mayor is absent. It is unclear whether the vice mayor also needs the mayor's approval to countersign a city bill. The bill's summary calls for the manager's signature, while the payment rule requires the manager's approval.

Harrington officials must submit a budget, decide revenue needs, and deliver an audit report by the stated deadlines. Harrington's budget committee and city manager prepare the budget; the council decides revenue needs; the auditor delivers the report. The council decides how much money to raise after property assessments are completed and the annual budget is adopted. The auditor must complete the annual audit by October. The budget submission and revenue decision are due on or before June 1 each year. The audit report is due within 150 days after the fiscal year ends.

Harrington's treasurer must authorize city deposits at federally insured banks approved by the City Council. This rule covers Harrington's city funds. The treasurer authorizes deposits as needed. An approved bank may be outside Harrington.

The mayor's emergency powers pass to other Harrington officials in the charter's listed order. This covers Harrington's mayoral powers during a sudden emergency. The order is the vice mayor, other council members by total years served, the city manager, and the police chief. The council clerk is not listed. The order applies when the mayor is unavailable or cannot perform the mayor's duties during a sudden emergency.