1. If a vacancy exists in the office of municipal judge by death, resignation, or otherwise, the governing body of the city shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy.

2. The governing body may appoint alternate municipal judges to serve when a municipal judge is unable to serve due to temporary absence, illness, disqualification, or disability. The alternate judges must be compensated at a rate set by the governing body.

3. If the alternate municipal judges also are disqualified or unavailable, the chief justice may appoint a district court judge to a temporary assignment as a municipal court judge for the purpose of presiding over the case.