CORTLAND — The city is preparing for a transition in leadership after voters removed Mayor Deidre Petrosky in a recall election Tuesday, an action city officials say is unprecedented in Cortland’s history.

City Law Director Patrick Wilson said the mayor’s seat becomes officially vacant once the Trumbull County Board of Elections certifies the results at a special meeting, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday. At that moment, council must move quickly to select one of its seven members to serve as mayor.

“The seat becomes open and fillable once the board of elections certifies the election,” Wilson said.

Until certification, Petrosky technically remains mayor, but Wilson said Petrosky has communicated she will not return to city hall or perform any duties. Under the city charter, the council president automatically becomes acting mayor whenever the mayor is absent or unable to serve, ensuring the city can sign checks and authorize payments in the interim.

That means, Wilson said, Council President John Picuri is also acting mayor until someone is appointed to replace him.

Once the vacancy is official, council is expected to call a special meeting to nominate and vote on an interim mayor rather than wait for its next regular session. Under the charter, council could wait until the next scheduled meeting to convene the question of mayor, but Wilson said he expects council will call a special meeting to settle the question.

The recall also triggers an unusual timeline for filling the office. Because the vote occurred in the third year of Petrosky’s four-year term, the appointed mayor will serve through the end of 2027.

“If the recall had happened in year one or year two, then the replacement would’ve needed to run in the next general election,” Wilson said. “But this recall happened in year three, so whoever fills the position serves out the term.”

Wilson noted that recalls are rare in Ohio and can only occur in charter cities. Cortland has never experienced one, and only one other community in Trumbull County has used the process before Cortland’s petition.

“This is democracy in action,” Wilson said. “You get a petition, you get enough signatures, you get it on the ballot, you get enough votes, and you get what you want.”

In addition to the recall vote, the Trumbull County Board of Elections must also legitimize four provisional ballots cast Tuesday.