(a) Schedule. The first election of officers under this Charter shall be held on June 9, 1998 in conjunction with the election regarding the approval of this Charter. Members of Council elected on June 9, 1998 shall take office on July 1, 1998 as specified in Section 4 of this Charter.
(b) Hiring of City Manager. At the time the Charter is approved by the voters, the City Council will commence the search for qualified candidates for City Manager by advertising the position in a professional journal and a newspaper of general circulation in Harrison County, West Virginia. At the first regular meeting of City Council under this Charter, on July 1, 1998, City Council shall appoint an interim City Manager. Thereafter, City Council shall scrutinize resumes, interview candidates and select the most qualified individual for the position of City Manager. City Council shall appoint a City Manager by August 1, 1998.
(c) Continuance of Office or Employment. No City administrative officer shall continue in office after the effective date of this Charter, unless such office is continued or provided for by this Charter. Except with respect to the position of City Clerk, no non-elected City employee shall lose their position of employment solely as a result of the adoption of this Charter unless such position is specifically eliminated hereby. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Council from contracting with or employing former City officers or employees, on a temporary basis, to provide for the orderly and efficient transfer of duties under, and implementation of, this Charter. Such contract or employment shall not constitute a conflict of interest.
(d) City Clerk. The non-elected position of City Clerk under the previous Charter is materially distinguishable from the position of City Clerk under this Charter. Therefore, the position of City Clerk under the previous Charter is specifically eliminated and the position of City Clerk under this Charter is considered a new position. City Council shall appoint an interim City Clerk by July 1, 1998. City Council shall appoint a City Clerk by August 1, 1998.
(e) Former Elected Officers. The members of Council representing the first, second, third and fourth wards and the Mayor and Recorder elected in June, 1996 shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified and take office on July 1, 1998.