To become eligible as a candidate for Mayor a person must, for at least one (1) year prior to filing a declaration of candidacy, be a registered voter and resident of the City. The Mayor shall be nominated and elected at large. If the Mayor ceases to be a resident of the City, he or she shall thereupon cease to be Mayor. The term of office of Mayor shall be four (4) years and until a successor has been elected and qualified. Effective January 1, 2020, no Mayor shall serve more than three (3) consecutive four (4) year terms. After serving the maximum number of terms, no Mayor may serve in the same office unless the Mayor has been out of office for no less than two (2) years. Election or appointment to a partial term shall not count toward the eligibility limitation, but election or appointment to a full term shall count toward the eligibility limitation. The Mayor shall be ex-officio a member of the Council. The Mayor shall preside at all meetings of the Council, and may participate with and have a vote in all proceedings of and business transacted by the Council; but the Mayor shall have no power of veto. The Mayor shall certify all ordinances and resolutions passed by the Council. The Mayor shall sign all contracts awarded by the Council, all warrants drawn on the City Treasury in payment of claims and obligations of the City duly authorized by the Council, and all commissions and certificates of appointment made by the Council, provided a facsimile signature may be used except where prohibited by law. The Mayor shall, by proclamation, call all special elections of the City and the officials to conduct the same, as shall be authorized by the Council, the Constitution, and the general laws of the State or this Charter. The Mayor shall perform such other ministerial duties as the Council may direct and such other special duties as may be required by law. The Mayor shall be recognized as head of the City Government for all ceremonial purposes and by the Governor for purposes of military law. The Mayor shall have no regular administrative duties except as otherwise provided in this Charter.
(Amended 10-14-03; Amended 2-12-19)