§ 8. Vacancy, forfeiture of office, filling of vacancies.

(a)

The office of Mayor or Council member shall become vacant upon the incumbent's death, resignation, forfeiture of office, or removal from office in any manner authorized by this Charter or the laws of the State of Georgia.

(b)

A vacancy in the office of Mayor or Council member shall be filled as follows: In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Mayor or Council member, the Mayor and Council shall appoint a qualified person to fill such vacancy until a special election is held as set forth below. If a tie vote by the Mayor and Council to fill a vacancy is unbroken for 15 days, the Mayor, or Mayor Pro Tempore in the case of a vacancy in the office of Mayor, shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. Once a vacancy is filled by appointment, a special election shall be called and held to fill the balance of the unexpired term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such vacancy occurs within 180 days prior to a regular election for the vacant office of the Mayor or Council member, the appointee shall serve until the election, the vacancy shall be filled at the regular election, and in such event, no special election shall be held. Special elections shall be called and held according to the next applicable special election date after a vacancy is created. In all other respects, special elections shall be conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Charter and Article 14, Chapter 2 of the "Georgia Election Code."

(Ord. of 9-21-2010)