A. Membership:
1. Appointment: A planning and zoning commission consisting of seven (7) to twelve (12) voting members, all appointed by the chairman of the board of county commissioners and confirmed by majority vote of the board of county commissioners is hereby created. All presently existing commission members are confirmed in their positions for the remainder of their existing terms.
2. Residency Requirement: An appointed member of the planning and zoning commission must have resided in the county for two (2) years prior to their appointment, and must remain a resident of the county during their service on the commission. Not more than one-third (1/3) of the members of any commission appointed by the chairman of the board of county commissioners may reside within an incorporated city in the county.
3. Term Of Office: The term of office for members shall be appointed on a six (6) year term by the board of county commissioners. No person shall serve more than two (2) full consecutive terms without specific concurrence by two-thirds (2/3) of the governing body adopted by motion and recorded in the minutes.
4. Vacancies: Vacancies occurring through death, resignation, or three (3) consecutive unexcused absences shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
5. Removal From Office: Members may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the board of county commissioners.
6. Political Affiliation: Members shall be selected without respect to political affiliation.
7. Compensation: Members may receive such mileage and per diem compensation as provided by the board of county commissioners.
B. Organization:
1. Officers: The planning and zoning commission shall elect a chairman and create and fill any other office that it may deem necessary.
2. Quorum: A majority of the appointed members of the planning and zoning commission can conduct business at any regularly scheduled or specially called meeting.
3. Subcommittees: The planning and zoning commission may establish subcommittees, advisory committees, hearing examiners or neighborhood groups to advise and assist in carrying out its responsibilities.
4. Ex Officio Advisors: The planning and zoning commission may appoint nonvoting ex officio advisors as may be deemed necessary.
C. Rules, Records And Meetings:
1. Written Rules: Written organization papers or bylaws consistent with this title and other laws of the state for the transaction of business of the planning and zoning commission shall be adopted.
2. Records: A record of meetings, hearings, resolutions, studies, findings, permits and actions taken shall be maintained. All records shall be open to the public.
3. Meetings: All meetings shall be open to the public. At least one regular meeting shall be held each month for not less than nine (9) months in a year.
4. Quorum: A majority of the appointed members of the planning and zoning commission shall constitute a quorum.
D. Expenditures And Staff: With approval of the board of county commissioners, the planning and zoning commission may receive and expend funds, goods and services from the federal government or agencies and instrumentalities of state or local governments or from civic and private sources and may contract with these entities and provide information and reports as necessary to secure aid. Expenditures by the commission shall be within the amounts appropriated by the board. Within such limits, the commission is authorized to hire employees and technical advisors, including, but not limited to, planners, engineers, architects and legal assistants. (Ord. 2009-03, 6-15-2009)