Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 3.1, as amended, of Chapter 229 of the Acts of Assembly of 1948 is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 3.1. Six residents and qualified voters of the Town of Stephens City shall be elected as councilmen of the town. Successors to the three members of the present council whose terms expire in 1982 2014 shall be elected on the first Tuesday in May of 1982 following the first Monday in November of 2014 and every four years thereafter, and successors to the three members of the present council whose terms expire in 1984 2012 shall be elected on the first Tuesday in May of 1984 following the first Monday in November 2012 and every four years thereafter. On the first Tuesday in May, 1982 following the first Monday in November 2014, and every four years thereafter, there shall be elected one elector of the town who shall be denominated as mayor. The mayor and councilmen shall constitute the town council and be the governing body of the Town of Stephens City. They shall enter upon the duties of their offices on the first day of July January next succeeding their election, and shall continue in office until their successors are duly qualified. Every person elected as councilman shall take an oath administered by the clerk of the Frederick County Circuit Court that they shall faithfully to execute the duties of his the office to the best of his their judgment and ability. The person elected as mayor shall take the oath prescribed by law for state officers.

The council at its first meeting in July January following the elections shall select by majority vote one of its members as vice mayor to serve a term of two years. He shall serve as mayor and exercise the powers of such office during the mayor's absence.

2.  That an emergency exists and this act is in force from its passage.