A voter approved initiative that calls for the direct election of the Mayor is still causing complications. Because of a new state law the Council would be unable to call a special election if the Mayor resigns or is unable to carry out his duties. Instead the public vote to replace the Mayor would have to be held during the next possible election.

 Mayor Bryan said, "I would encourage us to exercise the leadership that we are here to do and not just lead the public to think they can have something they can't."

Bryan said the Coconino County Elections Office would not convene a special election or allow one. He said," A special election would not be possible in today's world."

But Bryan said a special election would still be possible IF there is a change in the state law.

Vice Mayor Craig Sanderson said, " I don't think we can do any better."

The council is in the process of incorporating the initiative into the Town Code while at the same time making sure that code does not conflict with state law.

Here is the text of the ordinance.

Be it enacted by the People of the Town of Tusayan: 
1. OFFICE OF MAYOR. 
A. ELECTION. BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST REGULAR ELECTION FOR TOWN COUNCIL AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THIS MEASURE OR AT A SPECIAL ELECTION THAT SHALL BE CALLED IN THE EVENT OF A VACANCY ON THE COUNCIL, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, THE MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF TUSAYAN SHALL BE DIRECTLY ELECTED BY THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE TOWN. 
B. TERM. THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE MAYOR SHALL BE TWO (2) YEARS OR UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS ELECTED AND SWORN-IN. 
C. LIMITATION ON FILING FOR ELECTION BY INCUMBENT. EXCEPT DURING THE FINAL YEAR OF THE TERM BEING SERVED, AN INCUMBENT COUNCIL MEMBER MAY NOT FILE FOR ELECTION FOR THE OFFICE OF MAYOR UNLESS THE INCUMBENT FORMALLY RESIGNS FROM ELECTED OFFICE. ONCE AN INCUMBENT FORMALLY RESIGNS FROM ELECTED OFFICE, THE OFFICE IS DECLARED VACANT. 
D. LIMITATION ON RUNNING FOR MULTIPLE OFFICES. A PERSON MAY NOT RUN FOR TOWN COUNCIL AND THE OFFICE OF MAYOR AT THE SAME TIME.