(a) A county manager may be terminated only upon a vote of four-fifths of the county commission. In the event the termination is made without cause, the county may provide the county manager with a severance package. The county commission may not provide a severance package to a county manager terminated for cause, as referenced in Section 45-37-122.05.

(b) Upon the termination of the employment of a county manager, the county commission shall begin a search for a new manager by hiring a national search firm that meets the qualifications set forth in subsection (a) of Section 45-37-122.02 within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 90 days.

(c) In the case of vacancy, temporary absence, or disability in the office of the county manager, the county commission by a four-fifths vote shall appoint an acting county manager, who shall be a non-merit system employee entitled to the same expense reimbursements and employment benefits as a county manager as set forth in this part. The acting county manager shall serve until the end of the temporary absence, removal of the disability, or until a successor has been appointed by the county commission. The acting county manager may not serve a term longer than 12 months. If, at the end of the 12-month period, the county commission has not hired a permanent county manager, the county commission shall hire a new acting county manager. The new acting county manager may not previously have held the position of acting county manager in Jefferson County.