The presiding officer of the council shall be the chief executive officer of the merged government, to be known as the "mayor." As presiding officer, the mayor shall have a vote on all matters, substantive and procedural, only in the case of a tie vote among the elected members of the council. However, when voting on an ordinance or resolution and there is a tie vote among the elected members of the council, with one (1) or more members abstaining, the mayor may cast the tie-breaking vote only if those abstaining would be in a position to assist in making the decision, i.e., only if the total number of elected council members voting affirmatively and abstaining equals eight (8) or more (Example: A vote of 6-6-1 could not be broken by the mayor's vote, but a vote of 6-6-2 could be). In no case shall the mayor, as presiding officer, be denied the right of introducing, presenting or otherwise inserting into the record of the council any resolution, recommendation, or proposed ordinance. (Charter section 4.07) In the absence of the mayor, the presiding officer of the council shall be the vice mayor. The powers of the vice mayor as presiding officer of the council shall be the same as those prescribed for the mayor, except that the vice mayor shall be entitled to vote on all matters, substantive and procedural, when serving as presiding officer of the council. (Charter Section 4.07) In the absence of the mayor and the vice mayor, the next highest vote-getter among the council members at-large shall preside until the arrival of the mayor or vice mayor. While serving as the presiding officer, the council member at-large shall be entitled to vote on all matters, substantive and procedural. In no case shall the position of chair of the presiding council member at-large extend beyond adjournment of the meeting. The rules contained in this section shall govern all regular public meetings, special meetings and work sessions of the urban county council.
(Res. No. 599-2023, § 2, 11-2-2023)