A. If any vacancy occurs in the office of mayor or council member of the city, the city council shall appoint a registered voter in the city who meets the qualifications for office described in state code to fill the unexpired term of the vacated office.
B. Before acting to fill the vacancy, the city council shall:
1. Give public notice of the vacancy at least two (2) weeks before the council meets to fill the vacancy;
2. Identify in the notice the date, time and place of the meeting where the vacancy will be filled; the name and contact information of the person to whom an individual interested in being considered to fill the vacancy shall submit their name for consideration and the deadline for submission.
3. In an open meeting, interview each individual whose name is submitted for consideration, and who meets the qualifications for office, regarding the individual's qualifications.
C. If, for any reason, the city council does not fill the vacancy within thirty (30) days after the day on which the vacancy occurs, the city council shall fill the vacancy from among the names that have been submitted. The two (2) individuals having the highest number of votes of the city council after a first vote is taken shall appear before the city council and the council shall vote again. The mayor shall break any tie pursuant to section 2-2-020B1.
D. If neither candidate receives a majority vote of the city council at that time, the vacancy shall be filled by lot in the presence of the city council.
E. A vacancy in the office of mayor or city council member shall be filled by an interim appointment, followed by an election to fill a two (2) year term, if:
1. The vacancy occurs, or a letter of resignation is received, by the mayor at least fourteen (14) days before the deadline for filing for election in an odd-numbered year; and
2. Two (2) years of the vacated term will remain after the first Monday of January following the next municipal election.
3. The city council shall follow the voting procedures outlined in subsections B and C of this section. (Ord. 1280, 1-9-2018; amd. Ord. 1413, 2-11-2020)