Convention and visitor bureau; creation; membership; terms;
organization
Sec. 3. (a) For purposes of this section, the size of a political
subdivision is based on the population determined in the last federal
decennial census.
(b) A convention and visitor bureau having fifteen (15) members
is created to promote the development and growth of the convention,
tourism, and visitor industry in the county.
(c) The executives (as defined by IC 36-1-2-5) of the eight (8)
largest municipalities (as defined by IC 36-1-2-11) in the county
shall each appoint one (1) member to the bureau. The legislative
body (as defined in IC 36-1-2-9) of the two (2) largest municipalities
in the county shall each appoint one (1) member to the bureau.
(d) The county council shall appoint two (2) members to the
bureau. One (1) of the appointees must be a resident of the largest
township in the county, and one (1) of the appointees must be a
resident of the second largest township in the county.
(e) The county commissioners shall appoint two (2) members to
the bureau. Each appointee must be a resident of the fifth, sixth,
seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, or eleventh largest township in the
county. These appointees must be residents of different townships.
(f) The lieutenant governor shall appoint one (1) member to the
bureau.
(g) One (1) of the appointees under subsection (d) and one (1) of
the appointees under subsection (e) must be members of the political
party that received the highest number of votes in the county in the
last preceding election for the office of secretary of state. One (1) of
the appointees under subsection (d) and one (1) of the appointees
under subsection (e) must be members of the political party that
received the second highest number of votes in the county in the
election for that office. No appointee under this section may hold an
elected or appointed political office while he serves on the bureau.
(h) In making appointments under this section, the appointing
authority shall give sole consideration to individuals who shall be
knowledgeable and interested in at least one (1) of the following
businesses in the county:
(1) Hotel.
(2) Motel.
(3) Restaurant.
(4) Travel.
(5) Transportation.
(6) Convention.
(7) Trade show.
(i) All terms of office of bureau members begin on July 1.
Members of the bureau serve terms of three (3) years. A member
whose term expires may be reappointed to serve another term. If a
vacancy occurs, the appointing authority shall appoint a qualified
person to serve for the remainder of the term. If an appointment is
not made before July 16 or a vacancy is not filled within thirty (30)
days, the member appointed by the lieutenant governor under
subsection (f) shall appoint a qualified person.
(j) A member of the bureau may be removed for cause by the
member's appointing authority.
(k) Members of the bureau may not receive a salary. However,
bureau members are entitled to reimbursement for necessary
expenses incurred in the performance of their respective duties.
(l) Each bureau member, before entering the member's duties,
shall take an oath of office in the usual form, to be endorsed upon the
member's certificate of appointment and promptly filed with the clerk
of the circuit court of the county.
(m) The bureau shall meet after July 1 each year for the purpose
of organization. The bureau shall elect a chairman from its members.
The bureau shall also elect from its members a vice chairman, a
secretary, and a treasurer. The members serving in those offices shall
perform the duties pertaining to the offices. The first officers chosen
shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified. A majority
of the bureau constitutes a quorum, and the concurrence of a majority
of those present is necessary to authorize any action.
(n) If the county and one (1) or more adjoining counties desire to
establish a joint bureau, the counties shall enter into an agreement
under IC 36-1-7. In the absence of such an agreement, the bureau
may not expend funds to promote activities in any other county.
As added by Acts 1982, P.L.67, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.96-1983,
SEC.3; P.L.68-1996, SEC.2; P.L.176-2002, SEC.4; P.L.168-2005,
SEC.2.
Last modified: May 28, 2006