§ 3-4. Mayor and mayor pro tempore

The mayor shall be elected by the qualified voters of the town beginning in the municipal election of 1995 and his/her term shall be for two (2) years. In case of vacancy in the office of the mayor, the remaining members shall elect his/her successor for the unexpired term. The duties of the mayor shall be to preside at all meetings of the town council; to be the official head of the town for the service of process, for ceremonial purposes, and shall be so recognized by the governor of the state in connection with the military law; shall have power to administer oaths and take affidavits; shall sign all written contracts entered into by the council on behalf of the town and all other contracts and instruments executed by the town, which by law require the mayor's signature. The mayor shall have the same power as other members of the council to vote upon any question, or upon the appointment of officers, but he shall have no power to veto. The mayor shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as are or may be conferred upon him by the general laws of North Carolina, by this charter, and by the ordinances of the town. At its organizational meeting the council shall elect one (1) of its members, mayor pro tempore, to preside in the absence of the mayor, and to act as mayor in the absence of or during the disability of the mayor. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the mayor, the mayor pro tempore shall act as mayor until a mayor is elected by the council pursuant to this section of this article. The term of office of the mayor pro tempore shall be two (2) years.

(Ord. of 12-13-94)