Section 198.16 - General manager(1) ELECTION, ELIGIBILITY. The general manager shall be the chief executive officer of the district. The general manager shall be chosen by the board of directors solely on the basis of the general manager's executive and administrative qualifications and need not, when appointed, be a resident of the state. All other things being equal, the board of directors shall appoint as general manager a person with experience in the construction, operation or management of public utilities. No member of the board shall, during the time for which appointed, be chosen as general manager. In case of the absence or disability of the manager, the board may designate some qualified person to perform the duties of the office during such absence or disability.(2) POWERS. The general manager shall have full charge and control of the construction of the works of said district and of their maintenance and operation, also of the administration of the business affairs of said district. The powers of the general manager shall be: (a) To see that all ordinances of the district are enforced;(b) To appoint or hire, except as otherwise provided herein, all heads of departments, subordinate officials and employees necessary for the administration of the affairs of said district, and to remove the same;(c) To attend all meetings of the board of directors and submit a general report of the affairs of the district, and to participate in the discussion of all matters coming before the board;(d) To keep the directors advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the district, and to prepare and submit an annual budget;(e) To prepare or cause to be prepared, all plans and specifications for the construction of the works of said district;(f) To devote his or her entire time to the business of the district;(g) To perform such other and additional duties as the board of directors may require.(3) FINANCIAL REPORT, PUBLICATION. The general manager shall within 60 days from the end of each fiscal year cause to be published as a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, a financial report showing the result of operations for the preceding fiscal year and the financial status of the district on the last day thereof.