The city manager shall, in accordance with the adopted city budget, appoint all needful assistants and members of the several departments. He or she may, in accordance with seasonal work, assign employees to two or more departments in turn or jointly. He or she shall, from time to time, classify all employments in accordance with the requirements of the several city departments and offices and shall cause permanent records of the appointment and employment of all persons by the city to be made and preserved in such form as he or she shall direct. (Prior code § 1-403)