The Warrenton Board of Aldermen has reasserted its authority to have the final say in who gets the top jobs in city government, a power that was previously granted to the office of the city administrator.

Warrenton’s director of operations, city clerk, finance officer, chief of police, and building commissioner can now only be hired or fired with a vote from the board of aldermen. Board members voted unanimously to approve the policy change in October.

The city administrator retains the power to hire, fire or discipline all other employees, including the heads of the city’s public works department and grounds and maintenance department.

Until recent years, nearly every employment decision within the city government had to be voted on by the board of aldermen. In 2018, the board created the position of city administrator, and chose to delegate power over all hiring and firing to the administrator.

More than half the aldermen from that time are now departed from public office. Their successors stated in September that they wanted to see control over key positions returned to the board.

Under the changes approved by aldermen in October, the city administrator is now tasked with making a recommendation for the city’s top positions, which the board of aldermen must vote to approve. The administrator is also given the duty of recommending when one of these appointed staff members should be fired, but the final decision is again left to the board of aldermen.