(A) Commission created. Effective January 1, 2014 and pursuant to I.C. 6-9-18-5(a), there is hereby created the Howard County Conventions, Visitors and Tourism Commission (“Commission”).
(B) Members. The Commission shall consist of nine members meeting the following qualifications, requirements and/or restrictions:
(1) Each member must reside in Howard County;
(2) A simple majority of the members must be either:
(a) Engaged in a convention, visitor or tourism business (which may include a restaurant or catering business, a museum, or a hotel or motel business); or
(b) Involved in promoting conventions, visitors or tourism;
(3) Not more than one member may be affiliated with the same business entity;
(4) No more than a simple majority of the members may be affiliated with the same political party; and
(5) If available and willing to serve, at least two members must be engaged in the business of renting or furnishing rooms, lodging or accommodations, which for the purposes of this section shall include a hotel or motel business.
(C) Appointment. Subject to division (B) of this section, the appointment of the members shall be made in the following manner:
(1) The Mayor of Kokomo shall appoint six members, three of whom must be engaged in a convention, visitor or tourism business or involved in promoting conventions, visitors or tourism; and at least one of those three members must be engaged in the business of renting or furnishing rooms, lodging or accommodations.
(2) The Howard County Board of Commissioners shall appoint three members, two of whom must be engaged in a convention, visitor or tourism business or involved in promoting conventions, visitors or tourism; and at least one of those two members must be engaged in the business of renting or furnishing rooms, lodging or accommodations.
(3) All appointments shall be reported in writing to the Howard County Auditor prior to the commencement of the terms. The Mayor and Board of Commissioners shall coordinate all appointments made to insure compliance with the requirements of divisions (B)(3) and (4) of this section; any disagreement regarding this coordination shall be resolved by the Board of Commissioners.
(D) Terms, vacancies and removal.
(1) All terms of office of Commission members shall commence on January 1, beginning January 1, 2014.
(2) The term of each member shall be two years; provided, however, the initial terms shall be staggered in the following manner:
(a) The Mayor of Kokomo shall appoint three members for one year and three members for two years; and
(b) The Howard County Board of Commissioners shall appoint one member for one year and two members for two years.
(3) A member whose term expires may be reappointed to serve another term at the discretion of the appointing authority.
(4) If a vacancy occurs, the appointing authority shall appoint a qualified person (whose appointment will maintain the requirements of division (B) of this section) to serve for the remainder of the term. If a vacancy is not filled within 30 days, the Commission shall appoint such a replacement by a majority vote.
(5) A member of the Commission may be removed for cause by his or her appointing authority.
(E) Powers and organization.
(1) The Commission shall have the powers enumerated in I.C. 6-9-18-6(a).
(2) 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.
(3) The Commission may adopt such by-laws as it deems appropriate so long as they do not conflict with any provision of the Uniform Act or this section.
(F) Expenditures. The Commission shall adhere to the requirements of I.C. 6-9-18-6(b) with regard to all payments and expenditures. No expenditure shall be made by the Commission unless it is in accordance with an appropriation made by the Howard County Council in the manner provided by law.
(G) Disposition of funds. 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.
(H) Meetings. The Commission is deemed to be a governing body of a public agency and subject to the requirements of the Indiana Open Door Law (I.C. 5-14-1.5-1 et seq.).
(Ord. 2013-BCCO-35, passed 12-16-13)