SDCL § 9-10-13: City manager--Responsibilities--Power to appoint and remove officers and employees.

The city manager is responsible to the governing body for the proper administration of all affairs of the municipality. Except as otherwise provided by law, the manager has power to appoint and remove all officers and employees in the administrative service of the municipality and may authorize the head of any department or office responsible to the manager to appoint and remove subordinates in the department or office. Appointments made by or under the authority of the manager must be made without definite term, on the basis of executive and administrative ability, and on the basis of the training and experience of the appointees in the assigned work.