§45-8A-23.055. Presiding officer; mayor and assistant mayor.

(a) The councilman elected by all of the qualified electors of the city shall have the title of mayor. He or she shall preside at meetings of the council, shall be recognized as the head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes and by the Governor for the purposes of military law, shall serve as chief executive officer for the city, shall develop the basic objectives and policies of the city in conjunction with the council and with advice from the city manager, shall ensure the preparations of adequate plans for the long-range growth and development of the city and annually present such plans for the review of the public and approval by the council, shall ensure the preparations of plans for the development of resources in this the city and periodically present such plans to the council for review and approval, shall maintain programs along with the council to ensure successful future management of the city, shall take the necessary steps with the advice and approval of the council to protect and enhance the city's sound fiscal posture, shall develop orderly rules of procedure for the conduct of business by the council for consideration and approval by the council, and shall have all privileges as any other member of the council.

(b) The council shall elect an assistant mayor, who shall act as mayor during the absence of the mayor, or disability of the mayor. The mayor and assistant mayor when so elected, shall hold their respective offices until the next council takes office; provided that if the mayor or assistant mayor or both shall cease to be a member of the council, his, her, or their offices as such mayor or assistant mayor shall become vacant. If a vacancy shall occur in the office of mayor, the assistant mayor shall immediately declare such 30 days nor more than 45 days from the date such vacancy occurred.

(c) The mayor shall receive as compensation for his or her services a sum to be decided by the council and in accordance with the laws of this state.

(Acts 1953, No. 404, p. 472, §3.06; Act 84-400, p. 938, §1; Act 2000-388, p. 610, §1.)