(a) The Mayor shall be elected by separate ballot from the Municipality at large for a four (4) year term. The Mayor shall be a member of Council and have the right to vote on all issues before the Council, but shall have no veto power. In addition to the powers, rights and duties as a member of Council as provided in this Charter, the Mayor, when present, shall preside at meetings of the Council, shall be recognized as head of the Municipal government for all ceremonial and nonadministrative purposes, by the Governor for purposes of military law, and courts for civil process involving the Municipality. The Mayor shall have judicial powers as provided by the general laws of Ohio. The Mayor shall perform all other duties prescribed for the office by ordinance or resolution of the Council not inconsistent with the provisions of this Charter. The Mayor shall appoint, with the concurrence of Council, a magistrate to conduct Mayor's Court as provided by the general laws of Ohio.
(b) The Council shall, at the first regular meeting in January following its election, choose, by a majority vote of all members of the Council, one of its members as Deputy Mayor who shall act as Mayor during the absence or disability of the Mayor. If a vacancy in the office of Mayor occurs, the Deputy Mayor shall serve as Mayor until the next regular Municipal election. At such election of a Mayor, a Mayor shall be elected to serve for the unexpired term, if any, or if not, for a full term. Upon the election of a Mayor at such regular Municipal election, other than the Deputy Mayor then serving as Mayor, the Deputy Mayor may retain a position as member of Council for the remainder of his or her unexpired term.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Mayor whereby the Deputy Mayor is required to serve as Mayor, the Council shall select a person to fill the vacancy in Council, as provided in Section 4.05(d). However, the person so chosen shall serve only until a Mayor is elected as provided therein.
(11-4-97)