The official term of the Judge shall be two years, expiring on the first Monday in May in each odd- numbered year. Each Judge, unless sooner removed for proper cause, shall serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified, provided that the Judge of the Municipal Court existing in the municipality at the effective date of this article shall act as Judge of the Court herein provided for until the Judge is appointed and qualified under the term of this chapter.
(`90 Code, § 12-5)