(A) The Fair Housing Commission consists of 3 members who are qualified electors of the county. Those members are not to hold any public office at the municipal, county, state, or federal level at any time while a member of the Commission. Any duly appointed Commission member who is running for public office shall be automatically disqualified from further membership on the Commission. The day the Commission member files petitions with the County Board of Elections shall be the date of disqualification. No commission member shall be appointed who is employed in any real estate or lending institution.
(B) The Commission members shall be appointed by the Board of Van Wert County Commissioners. Of the members first appointed, 1 shall hold office for a term of 1 year; 1 for a term of 2 years; and the other for a term of 3 years: and their successors shall be appointed for terms of 3 years. The Board of Van Wert County Commissioners shall fill all vacancies by appointment for the unexpired term. A Commission member whose term has expired shall be eligible for re-appointment to the Commission.
(C) The Fair Housing Director for the Commission shall be appointed by the Board of Van Wert County Commissioners and shall be an employee of Van Wert County.
(D) The Board of Van Wert County Commissioners may recommend the removal of any member of the Commission for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. The Board of Van Wert County Commissioners may remove a member of the Commission by the vote of 2/3 of the Board of Van Wert County Commission only having first given to such member a copy of the charges against him or her and an opportunity to be publicly heard in person or by counsel in his or her own defense; and any such removal shall be final.
(E) Two members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business thereof. A vacancy on the Commission shall not impair the right of the other members to exercise all the power of the Commission.
(F) Each member of the Commission shall serve without salary, but shall be paid necessary and actual expenses expended in performing the business of the Commission.
(G) The Commission is charged with the following duties to implement the state policy of this resolution:
(1) To investigate all complaints of unlawful housing practices which are filed with it.
(2) To initiate complaints of unlawful housing practices on the basis of auditing or testing carried out by its staff or volunteers authorized by the Commission.
(3) To endeavor by conciliation, to resolve such complaints.
(4) To hold hearings, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, administer oaths, take the testimony of any person under oath, and in connection therewith, to require the production for examination of any books or papers relating to any matter under investigation or in question before the Commission.
(5) To render at least once a year to the Board of Van Wert County Commissioners a full written report of all its activities and recommendations.
(6) To recommend to the Board of Van Wert County Commissioners when it deems necessary, educational and other programs designed to promote the purposes stated in the chapter.
(7) To adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of its business.
(8) To do such other acts that are necessary and proper in order to perform those duties with which it is charged under the terms of this chapter.
(1981 Code, § 100.07) (Ord. 6594-93, passed 12-27-1993)