(2) In case of absence or temporary disability of the manager, the board shall designate some competent person as acting manager.

(3) The manager shall be chief administrative officer of the people’s utility district, shall have control of administrative functions of the district and shall be responsible to the board for efficient administration of all affairs of the district placed in charge of the manager. The manager may attend meetings of the board and its committees and take part in discussion of any matters pertaining to duties of the department, but shall have no vote. The manager shall:

(a) Carry out orders of the board to see that all laws of this state pertaining to matters within the functions of the department are duly enforced.

(b) Keep the board advised as to the financial condition and needs of the district.

(c) Prepare an annual estimate for the ensuing fiscal year of the probable expenses of the department, and recommend to the board what development work should be undertaken, and any extensions and additions which should be made during the ensuing fiscal year, with an estimate of the costs of such development work, extensions and additions.

(d) Certify to the board all bills, allowances and payrolls, including claims due contractors of public works.

(e) Recommend to the board salaries of the employees of the office of the manager, and a scale of salaries or wages to be paid for different classes of service required by the district.

(f) Hire and discharge clerks, laborers and other employees under direction of the manager.

(g) Perform such other duties as may be imposed upon the manager by the board.

(4) The manager shall not contribute any money in aid of or in opposition to the election of any candidate for people’s utility district director, or advocate or oppose any such election.