The Council shall consist of seven members, one from each of the four wards established by the qualified voters of the City for terms of four years beginning on the first day of July following their election, except that of the seven Council members elected at the first election held under the provisions of the Charter, the three Council members elected at large shall be elected for terms of two years.
In order to determine the ward representatives of Council of the first administration under the first provisions of this Charter, all candidates for Council in the first election under this Charter shall file and declare by the ward in which they reside. Eligible voters shall be able to vote for all seven Council positions in the first election under this Charter. The person receiving the highest number of votes in that candidate’s ward shall be the ward representative. The three persons receiving the highest number of votes after all four wards are represented shall be the at large Council members.
At each regular election thereafter, either three or four Council members, as the case may be, shall be elected to succeed the incumbent members whose terms of office expire on the thirtieth day of June following the election. The terms of all Council members in office on the date this Charter is adopted shall continue until the close of business on the 30th day of June following the first regular election held hereunder.
Council members shall be qualified voters of the City, shall be residents of the City, shall hold no other public office except that of notary public or member of the National Guard or naval or military reserve, and shall not be employed by the City in any capacity. If a Council member shall cease to be qualified or shall be convicted of treason, felony, or bribery in any election, their office shall immediately become vacant. To file for Council, a candidate must present the appropriate form and pay a $10.00 filing fee. The first election under this Charter shall be held on June 9, 1998. Subsequent elections shall be held on the first Tuesday in June in even numbered years thereafter.
A special meeting of the Council shall be held at 12:00 noon on the 1st day of July following each regular City election. If the former Mayor has been re-elected to Council and is present, the former Mayor shall preside as temporary chairperson. Otherwise, the person receiving the highest number of votes shall preside. Then, newly elected Council members shall be inducted into office. The Council shall then elect one of its members to serve as Mayor for a term of two years. The Mayor shall preside at meetings of the Council and shall be recognized as the head of the City government for all ceremonial and military purposes, but shall have no regular administrative duties unless otherwise provided herein or directed by Council. The Council shall elect from among its members a Vice-Mayor who shall act as Mayor during the absence or disability of the Mayor and, if a vacancy occurs, shall become Mayor for the remainder of the unexpired term.
The compensation of the Mayor and members of Council shall be set by ordinance.