(a) The initial board of directors shall employ a city administrator as promptly as possible after effecting the board's organization. A city administrator's employment shall be for an indefinite term. Thereafter, subject only to such interruptions as are unavoidable, a city administrator shall be maintained in the employ of the city. The appointment and continued employment by the board of a city administrator is mandatory.
(b)
(1) It shall not be essential that the city administrator at the time of his or her employment be a qualified elector of the city or of the State of Arkansas or a resident of the city or of the State of Arkansas. However, the city administrator shall be a person found by the board to have special qualifications in respect to the administration of municipal affairs, and during his or her employment he or she shall reside in the city and devote his or her full time to the business of the city.
(2)
(A) A member of the board may not be appointed city administrator or acting city administrator during the term for which he or she shall have been elected, nor within three (3) years following the expiration of that member's term of office as director.
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section regarding residency requirements for city administrators, the city administrator of a city having a population of less than five thousand (5,000) persons, upon approval of a majority of the board of the city, may reside in an adjoining city during his or her employment as administrator.
(c) The city administrator shall receive a salary in such amount as may be fixed by the board.
(d) The board, on the vote of a majority of its elected membership, may terminate the city administrator's employment at any time, either for or without cause. However, the city administrator's employment may not be terminated between the dates of January 1 and March 1 of the year following any general election in which members of the board are elected.
(e)
(1) The city administrator shall furnish a fidelity bond, the premiums on which shall be paid by the city in such amount, in such form, and with such security as may be approved by the board.
(2) In no event shall the bond be less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).