(a) The county commissioners or county council publicly shall proclaim that a candidate who received a plurality of the votes cast for an office has been elected to that office.

(b) A candidate proclaimed by the county commissioners or county council to have been elected to an office shall become an officer of the municipality when the municipal charter takes effect.

(c) (1) If no individual is nominated for a municipal office, a candidate elected to an office is unable to assume the office, or for any other reason no candidate is elected to fill an office, the county commissioners or county council shall appoint a resident of the municipality to the office.

(2) When appointed to an office as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, a resident shall hold the office as if elected.