§ 71.238. Tourist Development Council.

71.238.A.

Establishment; membership. There is hereby established, pursuant to the provisions of F.S. § 125.0104, an advisory council to be known as the "Martin County Tourist Development Council", hereinafter referred to as the "council". The council shall be composed of nine members. One member of the council shall be the chairperson of the board or any other member of the board, as designated by the chairperson, who shall also serve as Chair of the council. The remaining eight members of the council shall be appointed by the board and shall have the following representative classifications:

1.

Two members who are elected municipal officials, one of whom shall be from the most populous municipality in the county.

2.

Three members who are owners or operators of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, or other tourist accommodations in the county and subject to the tax.

3.

Three members who are involved in the tourist industry and who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development, but who are not owners or operators of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, or other tourist accommodations in the County and subject to the tax.

71.238.B.

Terms and conditions of membership. All members of the council shall be electors of the County at the time of appointment and while serving on the council. Members shall serve without compensation, but may receive actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties from the funds described in section 71.243B.1. (Category A) herein. The members of the council shall serve for staggered terms of four-years. Those members of the council appointed by the board in its resolution dated July 10, 2001, establishing the initial council, shall continue to serve in such capacities for the terms set forth therein. Members of the council may be reappointed, provided they continue to meet the qualifications of membership, and may be removed with or without cause in the same manner as is presently set forth by resolution for the appointment of such members. A vacancy on the council not occurring by expiration of terms shall be filled by the board for the unexpired term in the same manner as is presently set forth by resolution for appointments to the council.

71.238.C.

Removal for lack of attendance. Members of the council shall be automatically removed for lack of attendance. Lack of attendance means failure to attend three consecutive meetings and failure to attend more than one-half of the meetings scheduled during a calendar year. Participation for less than three-fourths of a meeting shall be the same as a failure to attend a meeting. Absences shall be entered into the minutes at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the council. Members removed under this paragraph shall not continue to serve until a new appointment is made and removal shall create a vacancy.

71.238.D.

Notice of meetings. Reasonable public notice of all council meetings shall be provided and all such meetings shall be open to the public at all times.

71.238.E.

Annual report. The council shall submit an annual report to the board pursuant to policies and procedures adopted by the board.

71.238.F.

Quorum. A quorum must be present for the conduct of all council meetings. A majority of the members appointed shall constitute a quorum. All meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order.

71.238.G.

Recommendations to board. The council shall, from time to time, make recommendations to the board for the effective operation of the special promotions and events or for uses of the tax revenue and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution of the board. Prior to making recommendations to the board as indicated above, the council shall review each proposal for expenditure of funds and determine that such expenditures comply with the tourist development plan set forth in section 71.242 herein.

71.238.H.

Review of expenditures. The council shall continuously review expenditures of revenues from the Tourist Development Trust Fund established pursuant to F.S. § 124.0104, and shall receive, at least quarterly, expenditure reports from the board or its designee. Expenditures that the council believes to be unauthorized shall be reported to the board and the Florida Department of Revenue. The board shall review the council's findings and take appropriate administrative or judicial action to ensure compliance with F.S. § 124.0104.

71.238.I.

Plan submittal. The council shall prepare and submit to the board, for its approval, a plan for tourist development. The plan shall set forth the anticipated net tourist development tax revenue to be derived by Martin County for 24 months following the levy of a tourist development tax enacted pursuant to F.S. § 124.0104; the tax district in which the tourist development tax is proposed; and a list, in the order of priority, of the proposed uses of tourist development tax revenue by specific promotion, event, or special use as authorized under F.S. § 124.0104(5). The plan shall include the approximate cost or expense allocation for each specific promotion, event, or special use.

71.238.J.

Quarterly meetings. The council shall meet at least once each quarter and shall, from time to time, make recommendations to the board for the effective operation of special promotions, events, and for use of the tourist development tax revenue and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by resolution of the board.

(Ord. No. 611, § 7, 4-23-2002; Ord. No. 967, pt. 1, 1-20-2015)