The mayor shall be elected as hereinafter provided and shall hold office for a term of four (4) years or until his successor is elected and qualified. Effective as of the term beginning in January 2006, the regular term of the mayor shall expire on the second Thursday in December of each regular city election year, when the newly elected mayor shall take office. (Acts 1951, Ch. 539, § 25; Res. of 3-18-65; Res. No. 18-81, § 1, 4-16-81; Res. No. 05-5, § 1, 1-20-05)