(a) The office of city health officer may be created by the governing body of a city of the first class, city of the second class, or an incorporated town.

(b) The office of city health officer shall be filled by a competent physician who is legally qualified to practice medicine within this state, a graduate of a reputable medical college, and of reputable professional standing.

(c) (1) (A) It is the duty of the mayor of each incorporated city and town within this state to elect a qualified person to the office of city health officer if the governing body of the city or town creates the office.

(B) The appointment shall be approved by a majority of the votes of the city or town council.

(2) After appointment, the city health officer shall:

(A) Take and subscribe to the constitutional oath of office;

(B) File a copy of the appointment with the State Board of Health, and

(C) Shall not be deemed to be legally qualified until the copies have been so filed.

(d)

(1) Each city health officer shall perform such duties as may be required by the ordinances of his or her city or town.

(2) The officer shall discharge and perform such duties as may be prescribed for him or her under the directions, rules, regulations, and requirements of the board.

(3) The officer shall be required to aid and assist the board in all matters of quarantine, vital and mortuary statistics, inspection, disease prevention and suppression, and sanitation within his or her jurisdiction.

(4) The officer shall at all times report to the board, in such manner and form as shall be prescribed by the board, the presence of all contagious, infectious, and dangerous epidemic diseases within his or her jurisdiction and shall make such other and further reports in the manner and form and at the times as the board shall direct, touching all matters as may be proper for the board to direct.

(5) The officer shall aid the board at all times in the enforcement of proper rules, regulations, and requirements in the enforcement of all sanitary laws, quarantine regulations, and vital statistics collections and shall perform any other duties the board shall direct.

(e) The compensation of city health officers shall be fixed by the mayor and council of the respective towns and cities within this state.