§ 2-2-256. Children's services advisory board.
(a)
Advisory board established. There is hereby established the Manatee County Children's Services Advisory Board which shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the county. To the extent possible the advisory board shall be comprised of:
(1)
A physician, preferably a pediatrician;
(2)
A licensed mental health professional;
(3)
A member of the NAACP;
(4)
Five (5) child advocates who are not affiliated with any agency receiving county funds;
(5)
One criminal justice representative;
(6)
One school board member;
(7)
One representative from health and rehabilitative services;
(8)
One representative from United Way of Manatee County; and
(9)
Judge of the family law division.
(b)
Terms.
(1)
Except as provided herein all terms shall be for a period of three (3) years and continue until a successor has been appointed, which term shall be deemed to commence on October 1 of each respective year.
(2)
To achieve staggered terms, the terms of three (3) members, including one child advocate, shall expire at the end of an initial two-year period; the terms of four (4) members, including one child advocate, shall expire at the end of an initial four-year period. The initial terms of the two (2) additional children's services advisory board members provided for under Ordinance 94-28 shall expire on July 9, 1996 and July 9, 1997.
(3)
All members of the advisory board shall be residents of Manatee County meeting the qualifications of an elector, except that the judicial position may be filled by the family law judge serving in Manatee County without regard to residency.
(4)
Members shall be eligible for reappointment for successive terms without limitation.
(5)
The county may remove any member who, without reasonable excuse, fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings.
(6)
Members may be removed without cause by a majority plus one vote of the board of county commissioners when it is determined that it is necessary and in the best interest of the county and the efficient functioning of the advisory committee to remove such members. The advisory board may recommend removal of a member to the county based upon an affirmative vote of eight (8) members of the advisory board.
(7)
Any member who has been selected based upon serving in a representative capacity for an entity or agency who resigns or is no longer affiliated with such entity or agency shall provide notice to the board of county commissioners of a change in the member's status. Taking into consideration the work of the advisory board and the activities and proceedings schedule by the advisory board, the county may ask such representative to continue until an orderly transition may be arranged and at such time as the county deems to be in the best interest of the advisory board or the county may declare the position vacant and fill the vacancy by appointment as soon as reasonably possible. Such appointment shall be for the unexpired term of the vacated office.
(8)
If any member of the advisory board is removed, dies or becomes disqualified, the position shall be deemed vacant and such vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the county. Any such appointment shall be for the unexpired term of the vacated position.
(c)
Rules and procedures.
(1)
The advisory board shall hold meetings as needed to fulfill its duties, but the advisory board shall hold at least four (4) meetings each year.
(2)
A majority of the active members of the advisory board shall constitute a quorum.
(3)
All meetings shall be open to the public.
(4)
Formal recommendations of the advisory board to the county commissioners shall be based upon the vote of not less than a majority of a quorum present and voting.
(5)
The advisory board shall have the authority to elect such officers, including a chairperson and a vice-chairperson, and promulgate such internal procedures and rules as may be necessary to conduct the business and affairs of the advisory board, which shall not be in conflict with the general law, this article or procedures and policies established by the board of county commissioners.
(6)
Every member of the advisory board shall be required to disclose any employment with or position as an officer or director of any entity applying for or receiving funds from the millage dedicated to children's services.
(7)
Members of the advisory board will disclose, in the manner provided by F.S. § 112.3143, the affiliation of the member or the member's spouse with any organization applying through the advisory board for funding, which shall be limited to any membership or affiliation within the last calendar year.
(8)
No member of the advisory board shall incur any expenditures chargeable to the county without the prior written approval of the director.
(d)
Powers and duties. The advisory board shall have the power and duty to make recommendations to the county regarding the expenditure of the dedicated millage, to consult with agencies dedicated to the welfare of children to the end that the overlapping of services will be prevented; and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by ordinance or resolution of the board of county commissioners.
In order to accomplish those purposes, subject to policies and procedures established by the county, the children's services advisory board shall have in addition to the powers, duties and authority assigned elsewhere in this article, the authority to:
(1)
Make independent investigations and gather data pertaining to the needs of children and ways of meeting those needs including those services designed to preserve the unity and integrity of the family and parental relationships.
(2)
Consider and recommend innovative and creative programs required to effectuate the intent of the children's services referendum.
(3)
Make recommendations to the board of county commissioners with respect to modification of programs.
(4)
Develop and recommend monitoring and evaluation procedures and methods for providing accountability and guidelines to assure that the dedicated millage is appropriately used.
(5)
Make recommendations and investigations to assure that the dedicated millage is allocated wisely and used effectively.
(6)
Collect data pertaining to other sources of funding available for children's services.
(7)
Identify and make recommendations to the county to clarify and define services for children as contemplated by Resolution R-90-169.
(Ord. No. 91-42, § 6, 7-9-91; Ord. No. 94-28, § 1, 6-14-94; Ord. No. 99-30, § 1, 4-6-99)