(A) Short title. This section shall be known as “The Planning Commission’s Resolution.”
(B) Purpose. It is the purpose of this section to create a Planning Commission whose principal duty it shall be to prepare a plan for the consideration and approval of the County Board.
(C) Planning Commission
(1) Creation. There is hereby created the County Planning Commission hereinafter referred to as “The Commission.”
(2) Powers and duties. The Commission shall have the power and duty to do the following:
(a) Make such investigations and gather such statistics as it shall deem necessary for the making of the plan;
(b) Make or direct the making of a plan for the county which shall be advisory only and shall be designed to:
1. Provide for the present and future needs of the county;
2. Guide and accomplish a coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development of the county and of public improvements and utilities therein; and
3. Promote the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity, efficiency, economy, and general welfare of the county;
(c) Recommend the plan to the County Board for its consideration and adoption in the manner hereinafter set forth; and
(d) Encourage the cooperation of the political subdivisions within the county toward coordination of municipal, county metropolitan, state, and other special district government plans.
(3) Appointment: membership, terms. The Commission shall consist of 12 members, known as citizen members, and three members, known as ex officio members. To be eligible for appointment as a citizen member to the Commission, a person shall be a qualified voter of the county and shall have been a resident thereof for at least one year. The Chairperson of the County Board shall appoint as citizen members of the Commission, subject to the approval of the Board, the following persons:
(a) Citizen members. Twelve citizens who shall serve without salary. Of the 12 citizen members initially appointed, six of such citizen members shall serve for a term of two years, and six of such citizen members shall serve for a term of one year. The 12 citizen members initially appointed shall determine by lot which of them shall serve for two years and which shall serve for one year. All subsequent appointments shall be for a term of two years. Citizens members shall be eligible for reappointment and shall serve until their successors have been appointed and shall have qualified; and
(b) Ex officio members.
1. The following elective or appointed officials or their duly authorized representatives shall be ex officio members and shall serve without salary for their services as members of the Commission:
a. Chairperson of the County Board; and
b. Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Committee, of the County Board.
2. Ex officio members shall serve for one year, be eligible for reappointment, but shall have no vote.
(4) Vacancies. Appointments to fill a vacancy shall be made in the same manner as original appointments and shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(5) Expenses. Commission members shall serve without pay; however, they shall receive a mileage allowance of $1.50 per mile for normal travel expenses.
(6) Organization and bylaws.
(a) Organization. As soon as possible after the initial appointment of members and following each annual appointment of members to full terms, the Commission shall conduct an election of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and such other officers as it deems necessary. Such officers shall hold office for a term of one year and may succeed themselves. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be citizen members; the Secretary, and other officers may be any other qualified persons whether or not a citizen member.
(b) Bylaws. The Commission shall adopt bylaws to govern its business operation and procedure in any manner not inconsistent with this section and the state statutes. The adoption and amendment of bylaws shall be by a majority vote of all citizen members of the Commission; provided, however, that every member of the Commission shall be furnished a copy of such proposed bylaws and amendments at least ten days before consideration for adoption.
(D) Funds. The Commission shall have and may expend such funds as shall be appropriated from time to time by the County Board and no expenditures of the Commission shall be an obligation of the county unless the same are made from funds so appropriated by the County Board.
(E) Planning records; annual report.
(1) The Commission shall keep a written record of its actions which record shall be open to public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission office.
(2) The Commission shall submit to the County Board an annual written report.
(F) Effective date. This section shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval as provided by law.
(Res. 1973.05, passed 2-13-1973)