§ 16. Number, selection, term

The city council shall be composed of seven councilmen who shall be elected in the following manner:

Regular municipal elections in and for the City of Paris shall be held on the uniform election date established by state law in or about May of each year. In even-numbered years, council members from Districts One (1), Two (2), Three (3) and Six (6) shall be elected. In odd-numbered years, council members from Districts Four (4), Five (5) and Seven (7) shall be elected. All council members shall be bona fide residents of the districts in which they seek election, shall possess the qualifications prescribed by this Charter and by V.T.C.A. Election Code, Chapter 141, as amended, and shall be elected by a majority vote of the qualified voters residing in their respective districts.

At the first regular meeting of the council, or special meeting if the same is necessary, after which votes are canvassed for each annual election held in or about May, including any runoff election that is necessary, the newly comprised city council shall elect from among its members a mayor and mayor pro tem, each of whom shall serve at the pleasure of the council. The mayor pro tem shall act as mayor during the absence or disability of the mayor. In the absence or disability of both, the council shall designate a member as temporary presiding officer.

The members of the city council shall serve not more than three consecutive two-year terms, after which two years must pass before they are again eligible to serve on the council. Any unexpired term to which a member is appointed shall not be counted toward such consecutive terms. Members shall serve until their successors have been elected and qualified.

(Ord. No. 95-053, § 1, 9-13-95; Res. of 5-21-07; Res. No. 2011-047, § 2, 5-23-11)