§ 40-168. Establishment of county tourist development council.

(a)

There is hereby established, pursuant to the provision of F.S. § 125.0104, an advisory council to be known as the county tourist development council. The council shall be composed of nine members. One member of the council shall be the chair of the board of county commissioners, who shall serve as chair of the council. The remaining eight members of the council shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners and shall have the following representative classifications:

(1)

Two members who are elected municipal officials.

(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 tourist development 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.

(b)

All members of the council shall be electors of the county. The members of the council shall serve staggered terms of four years. Members of the council may be reappointed, provided they continue to meet the qualifications of membership, and may be removed by the board of county commissioners for cause. A vacancy on the council not occurring by expiration of term shall be filled by the board of county commissioners by appointment for the unexpired term.

(c)

Powers and duties.

a.

The council hereby established shall, from time to time, make recommendations to the board of county commissioners for the effective operation of the special projects or uses of the tourist development tax revenues and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution of the board of county commissioners. Prior to making recommendations to the board of county commissioners as indicated, the council shall review each proposal for expenditure of funds and determine that such expenditures comply with the tourist development plan of section 40-167.

b.

The council shall continuously review all expenditures of revenue from the tourism development trust fund and shall receive, at least quarterly, expenditure reports from the board of county commissioners or its designee. Expenditures which the council believes to be unauthorized by the provisions of this article shall be reported to the board of county commissioners and the state department of revenue. The board of county commissioners, upon receiving notification of expenditures believed to be unauthorized by the council, shall review the council's findings and take such administrative or judicial action as it sees fit to ensure compliance with this article and the provisions of F.S. § 125.0104.

(Ord. No. 92-21, § 3, 9-8-1992)