§ 126-191. Infrastructure Surtax Citizen Oversight Committee.

(a)

Creation. Upon the approval of the Surtax by the electors of Collier County, the Board shall hereby assemble an Infrastructure Surtax Citizen Oversight Committee ("Committee") to provide for citizen review of the expenditure of the Surtax proceeds by the County, as soon as possible after the Surtax becomes effective, but not later than the date on which the funds are first expended. The Committee shall serve as an ad hoc advisory and reporting body to the County.

(b)

Composition. The Committee shall be comprised of seven (7) members. There shall be one (1) member appointed from each County District, and two (2) at-large members. Upon confirmation that said individuals meet the requirements herein, the Board shall appoint said individuals to this Committee. Appointment of positions, unless otherwise stated herein, shall be governed by Collier County Ordinance No. 2001-55, as may be amended, or by its successor ordinance.

(c)

Membership Qualifications. All members shall have the following qualifications:

(1)

Member shall be a resident of Collier County;

(2)

Member shall not be an elected official;

(3)

Member shall not be a current employee of any governmental body within Collier County;

(4)

Special consideration shall be given to nominees that have financial or business management backgrounds and experience; and

(5)

Member shall meet the qualifications set forth in Collier County Ordinance No. 2001-55, as may be amended or its successor ordinance.

(d)

Term. The initial terms for the at-large seats shall be one year; the remainder of the at-large terms shall be for two years or until the Committee sunsets. The initial terms and all terms thereafter for each District seat shall be for two years or until the Committee sunsets. All members shall be eligible for reappointment upon the expiration of their term. Upon resignation or removal of a member from a seat, that seat will be filled for the remainder of its term.

(e)

Removal. Removal of members from the Committee shall be in accordance with the provisions of Collier County Ordinance No. 2001-55, as it may be amended, or its successor ordinance.

(f)

Sunset. The Committee shall sunset and terminate without further action by the Board within 2 months of the final expenditure of all of the Surtax proceeds collected by the County. At its final meeting after the Surtax proceeds have been expended, the Committee shall prepare a final report to the Board with its findings and recommendations.

(g)

Duties. The Committee shall have the responsibility to review the expenditure of Surtax proceeds against the ballot referendum approved by the voters and this Ordinance. The Board may expend proceeds of the Surtax on projects not specifically stated herein or in the attached Exhibit A, so long as those projects: (1) comply with the intent of the ballot language, (2) have a positive recommendation by this Committee, and (3) fall within the projects and categories identified. The Committee shall not recommend alternative projects, unless requested by the Board.

(h)

Officer; Meetings; Quorum; Rules of Procedure.

(1)

Annually the members of the Committee shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson from among the members. The chairperson's and vice chairperson's terms in such positions shall be for one (1) year with eligibility for re-election by the members of the Committee.

(2)

The Committee shall meet monthly, or as otherwise needed to fulfill their duties and responsibilities.

(3)

The presence of at least five (5) members shall constitute a quorum of the Committee necessary to take action and transact business. In addition, an affirmative vote of a super majority (majority present plus one) shall be necessary in order to take official action. Furthermore, by simple majority vote, but never with less than 5 members present, the Committee shall adopt rules of procedure for its meetings, and thereafter shall be governed by its procedures, as amended from time to time.

(4)

The Committee shall keep a written record of meetings, resolutions, findings and determinations. Copies of all Committee minutes, resolutions, reports and exhibits shall be submitted to the Board. The Committee shall submit an annual report of its findings and recommendations to the Board.

(i)

Reimbursement of Expenses. Committee members shall receive no compensation for the performance of their duties, but shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred in the performance of their duties upon prior approval by the Board.

(j)

Duties of the County Manager's Office. The County Manager's Office will provide such documentation, information, descriptions of procedures, secretarial support and general assistance to the Committee as may be necessary for the Committee to carry out its functions as set forth herein.

(k)

The Committee, its members, and all its proceedings shall be governed by and comply with the provisions of the Florida Sunshine Law, F.S. ch. 286, the Florida Public Records Law, F.S. ch. 119, and the Florida Ethics Code, F.S. ch. 112, and all other applicable local or state statutes, ordinances, or rules.

(Ord. No. 2018-21, § 7)