(A) Election; term of office. The Mayor shall be elected by the voters of the city at a regular election. A candidate for Mayor shall be a resident of the city for not less than one year prior to his or her election. His or her term of office shall begin on the first day of January following his or her election and shall be for four years and until his or her successor qualifies. If a person is elected or appointed Mayor in response to a vacancy and serves less than four calendar years, the that period of service shall not be considered for purposes of re-election a term of office. (KRS 83A.040)
(B) Qualifications. The Mayor shall be at least 21 years of age, shall be a qualified voter in the city, and shall reside in the city throughout his or her term of office.
(C) Vacancy. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor, Council shall fill the vacancy within 30 days.
(1) When voting to fill a vacancy in the office of Mayor, a member of the City Council shall not vote for himself.
(KRS 83A.040(2)(c)
(2) When voting to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of the Mayor, the resigning Mayor shall not vote on his or her successor.
(KRS 83A.040(3))
(3) No vacancy by reason of a voluntary resignation in the office of Mayor shall occur unless a written resignation which specifies the resignation date is tendered to the City Council. The resignation may be submitted through electronic mail if it originates from the official's electronic mail address and includes also the official's handwritten signature. The resignation shall be effective at the next regular legislative meeting. If a resignation date is not specified, the written resignation shall be deemed to become effective at the first regular or special meeting of the legislative body occurring on or after its receipt.
(KRS 83A.040(7))
(4) If a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor which is required by law to be filled temporarily by appointment, the City Council shall immediately notify in writing both the County Clerk and the Secretary of State of the vacancy. (KRS 83A.040(8))
(5) The City Council shall elect from among its members an individual to preside over meetings of the City Council during any vacancy in the office of the Mayor in accordance with the provisions of KRS 83A.130.
(KRS 83A.040(1), (2), (6))
(D) Failure to fill vacancy. If for any reason, any vacancy in the office of Mayor is not filled within 30 days after it occurs, the Governor shall promptly fill the vacancy by appointment of a qualified person who shall serve for the same period as if otherwise appointed.
(E) Compensation. The compensation for the Mayor is hereby fixed at $2,000 per month for an annual compensation of $24,000.
(Ord. 2002-9, passed 4-23-02)