§ 4.01. -

(a)

QUALIFICATIONS, ELECTIONS. The Chief Executive, who shall be a qualified elector and resident of the City-County for at least one (1) year before filing a nominating petition, shall be nominated and elected at-large by the qualified electors of the City-County. The Chief Executive shall not hold any other elective public office or be employed by anyone other than the City-County. The Chief Executive must maintain residency within the City-County during the entire term.

(b)

TERM. The Chief Executive shall be elected for a term of four (4) years.

(c)

VACANCIES.

1.

A vacancy in the office of Chief Executive shall exist upon death, resignation, removal from office in any manner authorized by law, or forfeiture of office.

2.

In the event a vacancy exists in the office of Chief Executive, the Council of Commissioners shall appoint within sixty (60) days a qualified successor to the person who vacated the office. Such appointee shall be a qualified elector and resident within the City-County for at least one year prior to applying and shall serve until the next general election at which time a person shall be elected to fill the remainder of the original term. The Chair of the Council of Commissioners shall serve as acting Chief Executive until the vacancy is filled.

(d)

FORFEITURE. The office of Chief Executive shall be deemed vacant or forfeited for the same reasons that a council seat shall be deemed vacant or forfeited as prescribed in Section 3.02 (f) of this Charter.

(e)

REMOVAL. The Chief Executive shall be subject to removal in accordance with State law.

(f)

COMPENSATION. The salary of the Chief Executive shall be established by an ordinance enacted by the Council of Commissioners.

(Amendment adopted at referendum 11-7-2006)