a. The Council shall elect from among its members a Mayor Pro Tem, at the first January meeting following a general election. The Mayor Pro Tem shall act for the Mayor during the absence or disability of the Mayor. In case of a vacancy in the office of Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tem shall serve until a successor is elected.
b. In the absence of both the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, such member of the Council shall perform the duties of the Mayor as the Council may designate.
(S.C. Code § 5-7-190) (Prior Code, § 2.107)