(a) The legislative powers of the Municipality, except as otherwise provided by the Charter, shall be vested in a Council of seven (7) members, elected by ward. Each Councilperson shall be a qualified elector of the Municipality, shall have resided continuously in the Municipality of the ward from which they are elected not less than two (2) years next preceding the date of their election and shall continue to reside therein during their term of office. Any Councilperson who moves from their ward shall forfeit their office immediately.
(b) The Council shall consist of seven (7) members, elected by ward for four-year terms, commencing on the first day of January next after each election, except that at the regular municipal election in 2011 the three (3) candidates receiving the largest number of votes shall be elected for four-year terms and the four (4) candidates receiving the next largest number of votes shall be elected for two-year terms. Thereafter a regular municipal election shall be held every second year for the election of the three (3) or four (4) Council members, respectively, for four-year terms as the existing terms.
(c) Council, by a majority vote, shall (i) beginning in 2023 and every fourth year thereafter, fix the compensation of the Mayor at least thirty (30) days before the time for filing petitions for election for the term beginning on the next succeeding the first day of January, and shall not thereafter be changed in respect of any such terms of any part thereof; and beginning in 2021 and every second year thereafter, fix the compensation of each member of Council at least thirty (30) days before the time for filing petitions for election and the amounts so fixed shall become effective two (2) years after the next succeeding first day of January.
(d) As approved by the voters on November 3, 2020, the compensation beginning on January 1, 2021, shall be as follows: Council President $18,000.00 per annum and Council Members: $16,000.00 per member per annum.
(Amended 11-2-10; 11-3-20)