GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
H	2
HOUSE BILL 819
Committee Substitute Favorable 4/19/01

Short Title:	Rockingham Charter Amendments.	()	
Sponsors:	     	
Referred to:	     	
March 27, 2001

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT AMENDING THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF ROCKINGHAM.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Section 4.1(f) of the Charter of the City of Rockingham, being Chapter 1265 of the 1973 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 698 of the 1995 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"(f)	The city council shall consist of five  members. In 2003, two candidates shall be elected for four-year terms and one candidate shall be elected for a two-year term. In 2005, and each regular municipal election held biennially thereafter, two candidates shall be elected for four-year terms and one candidate shall be elected for a two-year term. In each election, the two candidates receiving the highest numbers of votes shall be elected for four-year terms and the one candidate receiving the third highest number of votes shall be elected for a two-year term. Members shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified. Elections shall be conducted by the nonpartisan plurality method and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163‑292."
SECTION 2.  Section 4.2 of the Charter of the City of Rockingham, being Chapter 1265 of the 1973 Session Laws, as amended, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 4.2. Organization of city council; oaths of office. The city council shall at 7:30 P.M. at the regular meeting in December following the date of their election meet and organize for the transaction of official municipal business. Before entering upon their offices the councilmen shall severally take the required oath before the city clerk to perform faithfully the duties of their respective offices. Any elected councilman not present at the organization meeting may take the oath of office within  30 days, and the failure on the part of any elected councilman to take said oath within  30 days forfeits his right to the office and the council shall have the authority to fill the vacancy."
SECTION 3.  Section 4.10 of the Charter of the City of Rockingham, being Chapter 1265 of the 1973 Session Laws, as amended, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 4.10. Compensation for the mayor and council. The council may fix its salary and the salary of the mayor as provided by general law."
SECTION 4.  Section 6.2 of the Charter of the City of Rockingham, being Chapter 1265 of the 1973 Session Laws, as amended, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 6.2. City attorney. The 			
city council shall appoint a city attorney licensed to practice law in North Carolina. It shall be the duty of the city attorney to represent the city, advise city officials, and perform other duties as required by law or as the council may prescribe."
SECTION 5. Section 6.4 of the Charter of the City of Rockingham, being Chapter 1265 of the 1973 Session Laws, as amended, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 6.4. City finance officer. The city finance officer shall be appointed by the city manager and shall receive and keep all moneys belonging to the city and disburse the same according to law, and keep the manager advised of the status of all funds. Whenever this charter or any ordinance, resolution, or other document refers to the city treasurer, the reference shall be deemed to refer to the city finance officer."
SECTION 6.  Section 6.6 of the Charter of the City of Rockingham, being Chapter 1265 of the 1973 Session Laws, as amended, is repealed.
SECTION 7.  Section 17.2 of the Charter of the City of Rockingham, being Chapter 1265 of the 1973 Session Laws, as amended, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 17.2. Settlement of claims by city manager. The city manager, as authorized by the governing body of the city, may settle claims against the city 		as provided by general law."
SECTION 8.  This act is effective when it becomes law.