§11-44B-8. Temporary and permanent vacancies in office of mayor; vacancy on city council.

(a) Temporary Vacancy in the Office of Mayor. The council shall elect from its members, a president pro tempore of the council. In the case of the temporary absence of the mayor or his inability to serve temporarily on account of sickness or any other good reason, the president pro tempore of the council shall act as mayor pro tempore with the power and authority of the mayor during such time. Provided; however, the president pro tempore while acting as mayor pro tempore shall not exercise the mayor's right to vote nor the right of approval or veto of ordinances or resolutions, nor receive the rate of compensation or allowance of the mayor. In the event of a failure or refusal of the president pro tempore of the council to act, the council may appoint one of its members to act as mayor pro tempore with like effect, which appointment shall be entered in the minutes of the council. While serving as mayor pro tempore, the president pro tempore of the council shall have the right to vote on all questions the same as any other member of the council.

(b) Permanent Vacancy in the Office of Mayor. Whenever any vacancy in the office of mayor occurs by reason of death, resignation, removal or any other cause, the vacancy shall be filled as follows:

(1) ACTING MAYOR. The president pro tempore of the council shall succeed to and assume the duties of the office of mayor, effective as soon as practical after the vacancy occurs and shall serve as acting mayor until a new mayor assumes the duties or is elected as provided for herein.

While the president pro tempore of the council is serving as acting mayor, he or she shall receive the same rate of pay and allowance provided for the mayor, whose vacated office he or she fills, in lieu of council president pro tempore pay and shall have the right to vote on all questions, the same as any other council member. Provided, however, the acting mayor shall not exercise the mayor's right to vote nor the right of approval or veto of ordinances or resolutions and the same shall become effective upon final enactment by the council as otherwise provided by law. In the event of a failure or refusal of the president pro tempore of the council to serve as acting mayor, the council may appoint one of its members to be acting mayor with like effect, which appointment shall be entered in the minutes of the council.

(2) TERM OF LESS THAN ONE (1) YEAR REMAINING. If the vacated term in the office of mayor has less than one year remaining, then the president pro tempore of the council shall vacate his or her position as a member of the city council and qualify for the office as soon as practical after the vacancy occurs and assume the duties, responsibilities and powers of the office immediately upon qualification and shall hold the office for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor.

In the event of a failure or refusal of the president pro tempore of the council to serve as mayor, then the council may appoint one of its members to serve as mayor with like effect, which appointment shall be entered in the minutes of the council.

(3) VACATED TERM OF ONE (1) YEAR OR MORE. If the vacated term in the office of mayor has one (1) year or more remaining, the council shall call for a special election within thirty (30) days of the vacancy in the office of mayor. The election shall be held not less than sixty (60) days, nor more than ninety (90) days from the date the council called for the special election. Special elections called pursuant to this section shall be conducted as provided by the general laws of this state regarding municipal elections.

The person elected to fill the vacancy in the office of mayor shall qualify for office as soon as practical, shall assume the duties, responsibilities, and powers of the office immediately and shall hold office for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

(c) VACANCY ON CITY COUNCIL. Whenever any vacancy on the city council shall occur by reason of death, resignation, removal or any other cause, the vacancy shall be filled as follows:

(1) TERM OF LESS THAN ONE (1) YEAR REMAINING. If the vacated term of a council member has less than one (1) year remaining, then the remaining members of the council may appoint a successor by ordinance duly adopted at the next or any subsequent regular meeting of the city council or the council may, in its discretion, allow the position to remain vacant until the next regular municipal election.

(2) VACATED TERM OF ONE (1) YEAR OR MORE. If the vacated term of the council member has one (1) year or more remaining, the council shall call for a special election to be held in the district of the vacated council position, within thirty (30) days of the occurrence of the vacancy. The election shall be held not less than sixty (60) days, nor more than ninety (90) days from the date the council called the special election. Special elections called pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted as provided by the general election laws of the state regarding municipal elections.

(3) The person selected or elected to fill a vacancy on the city council shall possess all the qualifications of office, including residency in the district he or she represents, and serve the remainder of the unexpired term until a successor has been qualified and elected.

(Acts 1985, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 85-107, p. 141, §8; Acts 1996, No. 96-389, p. 476, §1.)