When a commissioner vacancy occurs, the remaining members appoint an interim commissioner, and the mayor must call a special election within 10 days unless a municipal election will already occur in the required 60-to-120-day window.
(a) Whenever a vacancy in the office of commissioner shall occur by reason of death, resignation, removal, or any other cause, and the remainder of the term is six months or less, the remaining members shall, by a majority vote, appoint a commissioner to serve the remainder of the vacated term, who shall serve until a successor has been elected and qualified. (b) If the remainder of the vacated term is more than six months, the remaining members shall, by a majority vote, appoint a commissioner to serve until a successor has been elected and qualified as hereinafter provided. The interim commissioner selected shall receive the same rate of pay and allowances provided for the commissioner whose vacated office he or she fills. The mayor shall within 10 days after the occurrence of the vacancy, call for a special election to be held in the district of the vacancy on a Tuesday not less than 60 days and not more than 120 days from the date the vacancy occurred. If a regular or special municipal election is scheduled in the municipality within not less than 60 days nor more than 120 days after the date the vacancy occurred, then the election for a commissioner to fill this vacancy shall be held at the regular or special municipal election. Notice of the election shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation and published in the city. The method, procedure, and requirements of qualifying, voting, and determining the successful election of the commissioner shall be the same as is provided herein relative to the election of a commissioner at regular elections, except that statements of candidacy shall be filed within 10 days after notice of election has been given. The commissioner chosen at the election shall take office no later than the next Monday following election and shall hold office for the unexpired term until a successor is elected and qualified.