(1) A vacancy in the council shall be filled within 30 days by appointment by the council. If the council does not fill the vacancy by an appointment within 30 days, then the vacancy shall be filled at the next available election as provided by state law, provided that election is before the expiration of the term of the predecessor councilor who left the office vacant. The term of the person elected shall begin when that person qualifies for office after the election, and shall end upon the expiration of the term of the predecessor councilor who left the office vacant.

(2) The term of a person appointed by the council to fill a vacancy shall begin when the appointee qualifies for the office after the appointment, and shall expire at the expiration of the term of the predecessor council member who left the office vacant, or at the annual meeting immediately after the next general election, whichever happens first. If a general election occurs after the vacancy is filled by appointment, but before the expiration of the term of the council member who left the office vacant, then the position shall be filled at such intervening general election. The person receiving the most votes for mayor or the vacant numbered councilor position at such intervening general election shall serve until the expiration of the term of the predecessor council member who left the office vacant.

(3) A vacancy in the office of the mayor or mayor pro-tem shall be filled by appointment by a majority of the council, with the term of such appointment to expire at the time a mayor is elected and assumes the duties of the office, as provided in Section 22(2), or at the time a mayor pro-tem is to be appointed by the council, as provided in Section 9. Appointment of a sitting councilor to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor or mayor pro-tem shall not extend the term of a councilor appointed to fill the vacancy. Appointment of a sitting councilor to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor shall create a vacancy in the councilor’s former seat, to be filled as provided in this Section 22. (Amended by voters on May 18, 2004, and May 15, 2018)