Article III. Executive Branch

Section 3-01. Executive Authority.

The mayor shall be the chief executive officer of the City and shall exercise general and administrative authority over all departments, offices and agencies of the City, except as otherwise provided by this charter.

Section 3-02. Election.

The mayor shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the City according to the election laws of the state for a four-year term concurrent with that of the council and shall be eligible for reelection.

Section 3-03. Qualifications.

A. The mayor shall be at least twenty-five (25) years of age, a qualified elector of the municipality and shall have been legally domiciled and shall have actually resided for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the time established by law for qualifying for office in an area which, at the time of qualification, is within the City.

B. The mayor shall continue to be legally domiciled and to actually reside within the City during the term of office. Should the legal domicile and/or actual residence of the mayor change from the City, the office shall automatically become vacant, which vacancy shall be filled as set out hereinafter.

Section 3-04. Forfeiture of Office.

The office of mayor shall be forfeited if during the term of office the officeholder: (1) lacks at any time any qualification for the office prescribed by this charter, (2) violates any express prohibition of this charter or is (3) disqualified by law from holding public office.

Section 3-05. Vacancies.

A. The office of mayor shall become vacant upon death, resignation, removal from office in any manner authorized by law, forfeiture of office by the officeholder or failure to take office for any reason.

B. A vacancy in the office of mayor shall be filled according to the method, timetable and procedures established by state law generally for the filling of vacancies in elected municipal offices.

Section 3-06. Mayor's Temporary Absence.

During the temporary absence of the mayor from the City, the mayor shall designate, by letter filed with the clerk of the council, a qualified officer or employee in the executive branch to serve as acting mayor.

Section 3-07. Mayor's Disability.

A. Whenever the mayor transmits to the clerk of the council a written declaration stating inability to discharge the powers and duties of the office, and until the mayor transmits to the clerk of the council a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the chairman of the council as acting mayor.

B. Whenever a panel of three (3) qualified medical experts, designated by resolution adopted by the favorable vote of at least two thirds of the authorized membership of the council, transmits to the clerk of the council its written declaration adopted by a majority of the panel that the mayor is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office, the chairman of the council shall immediately assume said powers and duties of the office as acting mayor. The chairman of the council shall serve as acting mayor until the panel of three (3) qualified medical experts transmits to the clerk of the council its written declaration adopted by a majority of the panel that the mayor's inability has ended. The medical experts shall review the mayor's disability at least every three (3) months until such time as it has been determined that the disability has ended. In the event any panel member dies or becomes otherwise disabled or unwilling to serve, the council shall appoint another qualified medical expert to fill the vacancy.

C. Should the mayor be unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office for a period exceeding six (6) consecutive months, the council shall have the authority upon the favorable vote of at least two thirds of its authorized membership to declare the office of mayor vacant due to disability, provided, however, that the council shall hold a public hearing on the issue prior to any such declaration.

Section 3-08. Compensation.

A. The salary of the mayor shall be forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00) annually until changed by ordinance, but in no event shall be less than forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00) annually. No ordinance changing the salary or granting any other monetary compensation shall be adopted during the last year of a term of office, and no such ordinance shall become effective during the term of the council adopting the ordinance.

B. The mayor shall be entitled to be furnished a suitable automobile and, upon presentation of properly documented receipts, shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of the office.

Section 3-09. Powers and Duties of the Mayor.

A. The mayor, as chief executive officer of the City, shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) See that all laws, provisions of this charter and acts of the council, subject to enforcement by the mayor or by officers subject to the mayor's direction and supervision, are faithfully executed.
(2) Appoint and suspend or remove all City administrative officers and employees provided for under this charter, except as otherwise provided by law, this charter or civil service or other personnel rules adopted pursuant to this charter. The mayor may authorize any administrative officer who is subject to the mayor's direction and supervision to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates in the officer's department, office or agency.

(3) Attend or send a representative to all council meetings with the right to take part in discussion but not to vote.

(4) Direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the City, except as otherwise provided by this charter.

(5) Prepare and submit the annual budget and five (5) year capital program to the council.

(6) Submit to the council and make available to the public, within sixty (60) days after the end of the fiscal year, a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the City as of the end of each fiscal year.

(7) Make such other reports as the council may reasonably request to enable the council to conduct its councilmanic function.

(8) Keep the council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the City and make such recommendations to the council concerning the affairs of the City as deemed desirable.

(9) Perform such other duties as are specified in this charter or may be required by the council.

Section 3-10. Prohibitions.

The mayor shall hold no other elected public office nor any compensated appointive City office or City employment during the term of office for which elected. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the mayor from serving as a member of a charter commission, constitutional convention or political party committee.