1. Eligibility, Election and Term.
A. There shall be a Mayor elected at large by the qualified electors of the City.
B. Only eligible electors of the City shall be eligible to hold the office of Mayor.
C. The Mayor shall be elected by voters at large at the regular City election every four years to serve for a four-year term.
2. Salary. The Council shall, by ordinance, prescribe the compensation of the Mayor, giving due regard to the duties and responsibilities of the position. However, a change in the compensation of the Mayor does not become effective during the term in which the change is adopted and the Council shall not adopt an ordinance changing the compensation of the Mayor during the months of November and December in the year of a regular City election.
(Iowa Code § 372.13(8))
3. Vacancy. Should a vacancy occur in the office of the Mayor in the event of resignation or death, the Council shall act as a nominating committee. The committee shall conduct one public hearing within fourteen (14) days of the occurrence of the vacancy and shall establish a list of names of eligible electors willing to serve. The Council shall fill the vacancy from the established list within forty (40) days of the occurrence of the vacancy. Nothing in this section shall preempt the citizens’ right to petition for an election as provided by the laws of the State.
4. Mayor’s Powers and Duties.
A. The Mayor is the official representative of the City.
B. The Mayor is the presiding officer of the Council. The Mayor may call special meetings of the Council when necessary.
C. The Mayor is not a voting member of the Council. The Mayor may enter into all discussions and express views.
D. The Mayor may sign, veto or take no action on an ordinance, amendment or resolution passed by the Council. If the Mayor signs a measure, a resolution becomes effective immediately upon signing, and an ordinance or amendment becomes a law when published, unless a subsequent effective date is provided within the measure. If the Mayor vetoes a measure, the Mayor shall explain the reasons for the veto in a written message to the Council at the time of the veto. Within thirty (30) days after the Mayor’s veto, the Council may pass the measure again by an affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Council members. If the Mayor vetoes a measure and the Council repasses the measure after the Mayor’s veto, a resolution becomes effective immediately upon repassage and an ordinance or amendment becomes a law when published, unless a subsequent effective date is provided within the measure. If the Mayor takes not action on a measure, a resolution becomes effective fourteen (14) days after the date of passage, and an ordinance or amendment becomes a law when published, but not sooner than fourteen (14) days after the date of passage, unless a subsequent effective date is provided within the measure.
E. The Mayor is responsible for enforcement of all laws, provisions of this Charter and actions of the Council.
F. The Mayor shall appoint the Mayor Pro Tem, who will act as mayor during the Mayor’s absence.