(A) Pursuant to I.C. 6-9-18, there is created the County Tourism Commission to promote the development and growth of the convention visitor and tourism industry in the county.
(B) The Commission consists of seven members. A simple majority of the members must be engaged in a convention, visitor, or tourism business, or involved in or promoting conventions, visitors, or tourism. If available and willing to serve, at least two of the members must be engaged in the business of renting or furnishing rooms, lodging, or accommodations. Not more than one member may be affiliated with the same business entity. No more than a simple majority of the members may be affiliated with the same political party. Each member must reside in the county. The County Commissioners shall make five appointments to the Commission and the Mayor of the City of Greenfield shall appoint two.
(C) All terms of office of Commission members begin on January 1. Initial appointments must be for staggered terms, with subsequent appointments for two-year terms. A member whose term expires may be reappointed to serve another term. If a vacancy occurs, the appointing authority shall appoint a qualified person to serve for the remainder of the term. If an initial appointment is not made by February 1 or a vacancy is not filled within 30 days, the Commission shall appoint a member by majority vote.
(D) A member of the Commission may be removed for cause by his or her appointing authority.
(E) Members of the Commission may not receive a salary. However, Commission members are entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their respective duties.
(F) Each Commission member, before entering his or her duties, shall take an oath of office in the usual form, to be endorsed upon his or her certificate of appointment and promptly filed with the Clerk of the County Circuit Court.
(G) The Commission shall meet after January 1 each year for the purpose of organization. It shall elect one of its members President, another Vice-President, another Secretary, and another Treasurer. The members elected to those offices shall perform the duties pertaining to the offices. The first officers chosen shall serve from the date of their election until their successors are elected and qualified. A majority of the Commission constitutes a quorum, and the concurrence of a majority of the Commission is necessary to authorize any action.
(H) The Commission may:
(1) Accept and use gifts, grants, and contributions from any public or private source, under terms and conditions that the Commission considers necessary and desirable;
(2) Sue and be sued;
(3) Enter into contracts and agreements;
(4) Make rules necessary for the conduct of its business and the accomplishment of its purposes;
(5) Receive and approve, alter, or reject requests and proposals for funding by corporations qualified under division (6) below;
(6) After its approval of a proposal, transfer money, quarterly or less frequently, from the fund established under I.C. 6-9-18-4 or from money transferred from that fund to the Commission’s Treasurer under I.C. 6-9-18-4, to any state not-for-profit corporation to promote and encourage conventions, visitors, or tourism in the county; and
(7) Require financial or other reports from any corporation that receives funds.
(I) All expenses of the Commission shall be paid from the fund established under I.C. 6-9-18-4 or from money transferred from that fund to the Commission’s Treasurer under I.C. 6-9-18-4. The Commission shall annually prepare a budget, taking into consideration the recommendations made by a corporation qualified under subsection (a)(6) and submit it to the county fiscal body for its review and approval. An expenditure may not be made under this chapter unless it is in accordance with an appropriation made by the county fiscal body in the manner provided by law.
(J) All money coming into possession of the Commission shall be deposited, held, secured, invested, and paid in accordance with statutes relating to the handling of public funds. The handling and expenditure of money coming into possession of the Commission is subject to audit and supervision by the State Board of Accounts.
(Ord. 2001-10A, passed 10-15-01)