(A) Election; term of office. The Mayor of this city shall be elected by the voters of the city at a regular election. His term of office begins on the first day of January following his election and shall be for four years and until his successor qualifies.
(B) Qualifications. The Mayor shall be at least 25 years of age, shall be a qualified voter in the city, and shall reside in the city throughout his term of office.
(C) Vacancy.
(1) When the absence or disability of the Mayor shall prevent his serving in the office and performing the duties and responsibilities of Mayor these duties shall be administered temporarily by a person designated by the Mayor as set forth in KRS 83A.130 and he shall have the powers specified in KRS Chapter 83A and 39.409.
(2) In the event of the absence or disability of the person designated by the Mayor to act in the Mayor's absence or disability, the City Council shall select, as outlined in KRS 83A.130(2), and interim Mayor Pro-Tem to serve with the same authority and restrictions as the Mayor's designee until the Mayor's designee or the Mayor can resume their duties.
(Ord 3-1992, passed 5-11-92)
(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 shall be effective at the next regular meeting of the city legislative body.
(KRS 83A,040(7))
(D) Powers and duties.
(1) The executive authority of the city is hereby vested in and shall be exercised by the Mayor. The Mayor shall enforce the Mayor-Council Plan, city ordinances and orders, and all applicable statutes. He shall supervise all departments of the city government and the conduct of all city officers and employees under his jurisdiction and require each department to make reports to him as required by ordinance or as he deems desirable.
(2) The Mayor shall maintain liaison with related units of local government respecting interlocal contracting and joint activities.
(3) The Mayor shall report to the Council and to the public on the condition and needs of city government as he finds appropriate or as required by ordinance, but not less than annually. He shall make any recommendations for actions by the Council he finds in the public interest.
(KRS 83A.130(3))
(4) Subject to disapproval of the Council, the Mayor shall promulgate procedures to insure orderly administration of the functions of city government and compliance with statutes or ordinances. Upon promulgation or upon revision or rescission of the procedures, copies shall be filed with the person responsible for maintaining city records.
(KRS 83A.130(4))
(5) Any delegation of the Mayor's power, duties, or responsibilities to subordinate officers and employees and any expression of his official authority to fulfill executive functions shall be made by executive order. Executive orders shall be sequentially numbered by years and kept in a permanent file.
(KRS 83A.130(7))
(6) All bonds, notes, contracts, and written obligations of the city shall be made and executed by the Mayor or his agent designated by executive order.
(KRS 83A.130(8))
(7) The Mayor shall be the appointing authority with power to appoint and remove all city employees, including police officers, except as tenure and terms of employment are protected by statute, ordinance, or contract and except for employees of the Council. (KRS 83A.130(9))
(8) The Mayor shall provide for the orderly continuation of the functions of city government at any time he is unable to attend to the duties of his office by delegating responsibility for any function to be performed, in accordance with division (D) (5) above. However, the Mayor may not delegate the responsibility of presiding at meetings of the Council, and the authority to approve ordinances or promulgate administrative procedures may only be delegated to an elected officer. With approval of the Council, the Mayor may rescind any action taken in his absence under this section within 30 days of such action. If for any reason the disability of the Mayor to attend to his duties persists for 60 consecutive days, the office of Mayor may be declared vacant by a majority vote of the Council and the provisions of § 31.21(C) shall apply.
(KRS 83A.130(10))