A county manager hired pursuant to this part shall be the chief executive officer of Jefferson County and, as such, shall carry out the duties and responsibilities established by the county commission, including the following:

(1) To act as the primary administrative advisor to the county commission on all matters relating to the efficient and economical administration of county government.

(2) To act as the executive agent of the county commission in overseeing the implementation of authorized projects and programs, assuring appropriate coordination of departmental operations, and resolving interdepartmental problems and disputes.

(3) To serve as the appointing authority for and exercise direct oversight of all department heads and their agencies and departments including all county employees thereof, except for (i) elected officials, (ii) non-merit system employees, and (iii) the county attorneys and their staff. The county manager shall have the full authority to select, appoint, evaluate, terminate, and retain department heads, agency heads, and county employees for which the county manager is the appointing authority, in consultation with the whole commission, except that the selection or termination of a department head made by the county manager may be vetoed by four members of the commission at a meeting of the county commission, provided that the veto is made within 30 business days following the county manager’s selection or termination decision, otherwise the county manager’s decision shall become final. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the county commission, by a vote of four commissioners, may terminate the employment of a department head.

(4) To directly manage all county functions and operations except those that are assigned to the county attorneys or committed by general law to elected officers of the county.

(5) Conduct research and make studies and investigation which could result in greater economy and efficiency in county government; approve, on the basis of management principles, such organizational changes as proposed by departments; recommend to the county commission the creation, dissolution, merger, or modification of organizational elements or work programs as deemed necessary for the efficient and economical operation of county government; and recommend to the county commission policies and adopt procedures for the orderly conduct of the county’s administrative affairs.

(6) Cause the planning process for both the operating and capital budgets to be compatible with approved county policies and long range plans; review and evaluate the budget estimates of all departments and submit a recommended annual budget to the county commission in a timely manner; exercise continuous review of revenues and expenditures throughout the year to insure budgetary control and implement any necessary fiscal controls; keep the county commission fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the county; and review and give a recommendation as to all supplemental appropriations and budget transfers which require county commission approval.

(7) Conduct comprehensive management reviews and analyses of programs, projects, and departments, and report his or her findings and recommendations to the county commission.

(8) Subject to budget approval, organize, staff, and administer and carry out the responsibilities of the office of county manager. The county manager may hire a non-merit system confidential secretary to assist the county manager with administrative duties and responsibilities. In addition, with the approval of a majority of the county commission, the county manager may hire a maximum of two at-will, non-merit system deputy county managers to assist the county manager in the performance of his or her duties and responsibilities under this part and an at-will, non-merit system chief financial officer to assist the county manager with the financial management of the county, all of whom shall report to the county manager, who shall be their respective appointing authority. The commission, by resolution, may set forth additional duties and responsibilities for either the deputy county managers or the chief financial officer. Any position created by this subdivision is authorized to participate in any benefit plan offered to full-time county employees.

(9) Attend meetings of the county commission other than when he or she is absent due to illness, scheduled vacation, or another legally permissible reason and discuss any matter before the commission, but shall not vote. During the temporary absence of the county manager, a deputy county manager, should one be appointed, shall attend all commission meetings in lieu of the county manager.

(10) Supervise the performance of all contracts made by any person for work done for the county and supervise and regulate all purchases of materials and supplies for the county within the limitations and under the rules as may be imposed by the county commission, and to make purchases and contracts for the county in amounts not exceeding the formal sealed bid limit set by Alabama law or resolution of the county commission.

(11) Perform such other duties as the county commission may direct and keep the county commission advised of any and all matters which may be pertinent to the discharge of its responsibilities