§ 10-383. Reestablishment of Marion County Tourist Development Council.

(a)

Creation. There is hereby reestablished, pursuant to the provisions of section 125.0104, Florida Statutes, an advisory council to be known as the "Marion County Tourist Development Council." The council shall be composed of nine (9) members. One member of the council shall be the chairman of the board of the county commissioners, or any other member of the board of county commissioners as designated by the chairman. The council shall elect its chairman. The remaining eight (8) members of the council shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners and shall have the following representative classifications:

(1)

Two (2) members who are elected municipal officials, one of whom shall be from the most populous municipality in the county.

(2)

Three (3) members who are owners or operators of motels, hotels, or other tourist accommodations in the county and subject to the tourist development tax.

(3)

Three (3) 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, or other tourist accommodations in the county and subject to the tax.

All members of the council shall be electors of the county. The members of the council shall serve staggered terms of four (4) years. Members of the council may be reappointed, provided they continue to meet the qualifications of membership. A vacancy on the council not occurring by expiration of term shall be filled by the board of county commissioners by appointment to fill the unexpired term. The current members of the council are as appointed and confirmed by the board of county commissioners on February 17, 2004.

(b)

Powers and duties.

(1)

The council as established shall meet at least once each quarter and, from time-to-time, shall 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 above, the council shall review each proposal for expenditure of funds and determine that such expenditures comply with the tourist development plan of section 10-382 of this article.

(2)

The council shall continuously review all expenditures or revenue from the county tourist 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 ordinance and the provisions of section F.S. 125.0104.

(Ord. No. 04-17, § 3, 7-6-2004)