(a) The mayor shall be the chief executive officer of the City. He or she shall be elected for a term of four years, assume office on the first day of January following his or her election and serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes at the regular municipal election in 2027 and thereafter every four years shall be elected. Each mayoral candidate shall have been for at least five consecutive years immediately prior to his or her election and during his or her term of office shall continue to be a resident of the City and a qualified voter thereof, and shall not hold any other public, compensated office or employment, except that of notary public or state militia or as otherwise provided in this charter or by ordinance, and shall not be interested in the profits or emoluments of any contract job, work, or service with or for the City.
(b) The mayor shall have his or her office at the city hall and shall devote his or her entire time during business hours, and such other time as may be necessary, to the business of the City.
(c) During any period when the mayor shall be temporarily absent or inaccessible or unable for any cause to perform his or her duties, the president of Council shall be acting mayor and shall also continue as councilmember with all the powers and duties as councilmember. In case the office of the mayor shall become vacant, the president of Council shall thereupon become mayor for the unexpired term or until the beginning of the term of a successor duly elected as hereinafter provided.