(A) A local Advisory Council is hereby established to provide assistance to the County Commissioners in choosing polling places.
(B) The Advisory Council shall consist of the County Clerk and two other registered voters who are residents of the county. Appointments shall be made by the County Commissioners for four-year terms.
(C) At least two members of the Advisory Council shall be representative of the disabilities community or elderly voters. No more than two members may be of the same political party.
(D) The Advisory Council shall meet at least 60 days before election day to review the prospective polling places and make recommendations regarding accessibility, improvements and alternate locations. The recommendations of the Advisory Council shall be conveyed to the Board of County Commissioners by the County Clerk.
(E) The Advisory Council may meet at other times as scheduled by the County Clerk. The Council is responsible for the following:
(1) Review surveys of polling places and other information to determine whether any locations do not comply with accessibility requirements;
(2) Develop assessment forms as a way of conducting ongoing evaluations of polling places;
(3) Conduct on-site visits as necessary to determine compliance or to resolve issues of accessibility;
(4) Make recommendations for resolving problems at existing polling places or choosing suitable replacements; and
(5) Other duties as determined by the County Clerk to assure compliance by the county with the Help America Vote Act, being 42 U.S.C. §§ 15301 et seq., and similar state legislation.
(F) The members of the Advisory Council shall be entitled to be paid $35 per day for attendance at a meeting or inspection of polling places. Members shall also be entitled to reimbursement for mileage at rates allowed by state law.
(Ord. 2005-1, passed 3-7-2005)