The city manager shall have the right, for due cause, to demote, dismiss, reduce in pay or suspend without pay for thirty calendar days, any regular or probationary employee. Notice of such action must be in writing and served on such employee personally or delivered via certified mail to the last known address prior to the action intended, except where an emergency situation exists, in which case the notice shall be served within three working days of the action taken. Such notice shall specify the penalty and contain a statement of the reason or reasons therefor. (Ord. 1599 NCS §3, 1985; Ord. 837 NCS §1; prior code §2.98.)