Which statement best describes when a mayor in a general-law city serves as ex-officio municipal judge?

• A. The mayor continues as ex-officio judge during the term unless the municipality adopts an ordinance authorizing the election or appointment of a judge, after which the mayor ceases to act.
• B. The mayor can serve only if there is no other judge, indefinitely.
• C. The mayor serves as ex-officio judge only for the first year of the term.
• D. The mayor is never ex-officio judge.

Answer: (A)

In general-law cities, the mayor serves as ex officio municipal judge by virtue of holding the office, and that status lasts through the term unless the city adopts an ordinance authorizing the election or appointment of a separate judge. Once such an ordinance is in place and takes effect, the mayor ceases to act as ex officio judge. This reflects that the ex officio role ends when a formal judicial position is created, not by term length or a fixed schedule. The other possibilities don’t fit because the ex officio status isn’t restricted to a first year, nor is it perpetual or never allowed; it ends when the city establishes a dedicated judge through an ordinance.