§ 262-731. Board of supervisors; members and meetings; organization; powers; duties; terms of office; related election requirements.

(a)

The board of supervisors of the district shall exercise the powers granted to the district pursuant to this Act in order to implement its specialized single purpose.

(b)

There is hereby created the board of supervisors of the stewardship community district which shall be the governing board and body of the district. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, each member shall hold office for a term of four years and until a successor is chosen and qualifies. There shall be five members of the board of supervisors who shall, in order to be eligible, be residents of the state and citizens of the United States. Three members shall constitute a quorum.

(c)

Within in 45 days after the effective date of this Act, a noticed special meeting of the landowners of the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District shall be held for the purpose of electing the members to the first board of supervisors for the district as provided in this Act. Notice of such special meeting of the landowners shall be given by causing publication thereof, to be made once a week for two consecutive weeks prior to such meeting in a newspaper of general paid subscription and circulation in Collier County the last day of such publication not to be fewer than 14, or more than 28 days before the day of the election. Such special meeting of the landowners shall be held in a public place in Collier County and the place, date, and hour of holding such meeting and the purpose thereof shall be stated expressly in the notice. The landowners when assembled shall organize by electing a chair, who shall preside at the meeting of the landowners, and a secretary, who shall record the proceedings. At such meeting, for the election of each person to be elected, each and every acre of land, or any fraction thereof, within the boundary of the district shall represent one vote and each owner of that acre or fraction thereof shall be entitled to one vote for every such acre or fraction thereof. Persons who qualify to serve as board members shall be nominated at the noticed meeting prior to the initial election at the noticed meeting. A landowner may vote in person or by proxy in writing. A landowner who sells land to a bona fide purchaser may by written lawful instrument retain the voting rights for that acreage.

(d)

At the landowners meeting for the election of the members of the board of supervisors on a one-acre, one-vote basis, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected for a term expiring November 30, 2006, and the three candidates receiving the next largest number of votes shall be elected for a term expiring November 30, 2008. The members of the first board elected by the landowners shall serve their four-year or two-year term; however, the next election by the landowners shall be held on the first Tuesday in November. Thereafter, there shall be an election of supervisors for the district every two years in November on a date established by the board and noticed pursuant to subsection (c). The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to serve for a four-year period and the remaining candidates shall serve for a two-year period.

(e)

The landowners present at the meeting shall constitute a quorum.

(f)

All vacancies or expirations on the board of supervisors shall be filled as provided by this Act.

(g)

In case of a vacancy in the office of any member of the board of supervisors, the remaining members of the board of supervisors shall by majority vote appoint a person to serve as a member of the board of supervisors for the unexpired portion of the term.

(h)

If the board proposes to exercise its limited ad valorem taxing power as provided in the charter, the provisions of subsection 262-742(a) shall apply.

(Laws of Fla. ch. 2004-461, § 4)