(a) At its organizational meeting in each year the Council shall elect from among its members a president pro tempore by a majority vote of its current members. The President pro tempore of the Council shall exercise the powers, duties and functions of the Mayor in the event of the temporary absence or disability of the Mayor. The President pro tempore shall continue as a member of Council and may vote on any matter before the Council while acting as Mayor, but may not vote a second time on any matter in order to break a tie vote.
(b) A permanent vacancy in the office of Mayor shall be filled by the President pro tempore of the Council to serve for the unexpired term or until the beginning of the term of the successor duly elected and qualified. Such successor Mayor shall be elected to the office for the unexpired term, at the first regular municipal election (held in an odd-numbered year), that occurs more than forty days after the vacancy has occurred; except that when the unexpired term ends within one year immediately following the date of such election, an election to fill the unexpired term shall not be held and the President pro tempore of the Council shall serve in the office for the balance of the unexpired term. If an election is so held, the President pro tempore may be a candidate to succeed himself as Mayor. If an election is so held, the person elected shall take office on the first day of January following election.
(c) In the event that the President pro tempore fills a permanent vacancy in the office of Mayor, a majority of the remaining members of Council shall select a new President pro tempore from among the remaining members of Council, and shall proceed to fill the vacancy on the Council. (Amended 11-8-16.)