(a) Absence. When the Mayor is absent or inaccessible or is unable for any cause or reason to perform their duties, the President of Council shall become the acting Mayor, but they shall not thereby cease to be President of Council.
(b) Vacancy. In the event the office of Mayor shall become vacant for any reason, the President of Council shall thereupon become the Mayor, and serve for the unexpired term or until the beginning of the term of a successor duly elected as hereinafter provided, and the office of President of Council shall become vacant.
(c) Absence of President of Council. In the event the President of Council shall be absent or inaccessible or for any reason unable to perform the duties as acting Mayor, then Council, by a vote of a majority, shall designate one of their number to act as Mayor.
(d) Election of Successor in the Event of Vacancy. In the event the office of Mayor shall become vacant, a successor for the unexpired term shall be elected as Mayor at the next regular municipal election, provided that (a) such election shall occur more than two (2) years prior to the expiration of the unexpired term and (b) the vacancy shall have occurred not less than thirty (30) days prior to the candidate filing deadline for said next regular municipal election. A President of Council or a Councilperson, who has become Mayor pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) of this Section, may be a candidate to succeed themself.
(Amended 11-8-05.)