(a)

(1) The board of directors shall elect from its membership an assistant mayor or vice mayor who shall serve in that capacity for two (2) years or until his or her tenure of office as a director expires, whichever is shorter.

(2) The assistant mayor or vice mayor shall not be prohibited from serving in that capacity for more than one (1) term.

(b)

(1) The assistant mayor or vice mayor shall act as mayor during the absence or disability of the mayor.

(2)

(A) If a vacancy in the office of mayor occurs, the assistant mayor or vice mayor shall perform the duties of mayor until a successor mayor is elected.

(B)

(i) If the mayor is continuously absent or disabled for more than six (6) months, his or her office will automatically become vacant, and a successor mayor shall be elected.

(ii)

(a) A certificate of the city clerk or recorder recorded in the record of the proceedings of the board as to the absence or disability of the mayor or as to any vacancy in the office of mayor may be relied upon by all persons dealing with the municipality as conclusive evidence of the assistant mayor's or vice mayor's authority to assume the powers of the mayor.

(b)

(1) Where any such certificate is so recorded, upon the termination of the absence or disability of the mayor and the resumption by him or her of his or her official duties, the city clerk or recorder shall record in the records of the board a separate certificate attesting that fact.

(2) This separate certificate shall show the date of the termination of absence or disability and resumption of duties.