§ 3.3. Terms of office; vacancies therein.

(a)

In the regular biennial election of 1987 there shall be elected a mayor to serve for a term of two years, or until his successor is elected and qualifies. Beginning with the regular election of 1989, the mayor shall serve a term of four years, or until his successor is elected and qualifies.

(b)

In the regularly scheduled election in 1991, or as held in accordance with G.S. 160A-23.1, Councilmembers will be elected for one of the at-large seats and for districts 2, 4 and 5, filling the seats of those Councilmembers whose terms will expire in 1991. These terms of these new members will expire in 1995. In the 1993 election, the Mayor and remaining Councilmembers will be elected, including the other at-large seat and for Wards 1 and 3, filling the seats of those Councilmembers whose terms currently are to expire in 1993. Thereafter, elections for Councilmembers shall occur every two years, with three Councilmembers, including one of the at-large positions, elected in the same election as the Mayor, and four Councilmembers, including the second at-large position, elected in the alternate election.

(c)

Following each regular biennial election, the Mayor and Councilmembers elected shall assume their offices on the date of the first regular meeting of the Council in December following the election.

(d)

In the case of a vacancy for any reason in the office of Mayor or Councilmember, the remaining members of the City Council shall by majority vote fill the same for the remaining unexpired portion of the term. Vacancies in the office of Councilmember shall be filled so as to retain one Councilmember from each of the seven wards. Removal of any Councilmember from the ward in which he resided at the time of his election shall ipso facto create a vacancy in the office of Councilmember from such ward.

(Session Laws of 1967, chapter 650; Session Laws of 1987, chapter 403; Ord. No. 1987-8, § 1, 3-3-1987; Ord. No. 1991-14, § 3, 6-4-1991)