Subject:
Title
Ordinance, Re: Modifications to the Structure of the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Citizen Oversight Committee
End
Fiscal Impact:
None
Dept/Office:
Natural Resources Management
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners Adopt an Ordinance to Modify the Structure of the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Citizen Oversight Committee
End
Summary Explanation and Background:
The current structure of the Save Our Indian River Lagoon (SOIRL) Citizen Oversight Committee (COC) includes seven fields of expertise, with a voting member and alternate selected to represent each field. To ensure future representation on the COC of residents whose incomes are tied to the health of the lagoon and who experience changing lagoon conditions daily, the committee recommends changing one field of expertise to “Lagoon Commerce.” This can be accomplished with no net change in the size of the COC by combining the Education and Outreach field of expertise with the Lagoon Advocacy field of expertise.
In addition, due to impending term limits that will result in large turnover on the COC and the desire to have voices at the table who have heard all County Commission direction to date and public comment since inception of the SOIRL program, the COC recommends adding 2 non-voting, emeritus members to provide readily available, historical context for the large number of new members anticipated in the next term. The League of Cities and the County Commission would each select one emeritus member.
In industry, an emeritus board member is a former board member who may have reached their term limit but is invited to continue to serve on the board in an advisory capacity. This honorary title is given to recognize the benefit of a former member’s relevant experience and knowledge, their significant contributions to the organization, and their long-term participation. While emeritus board members participate in meetings, they have no voting rights. As appointees to the COC, they would be subject to Florida Sunshine Law.
Revisions to the current policy to incorporate both of these recommendations is attached for Board consideration. The revisions also update the policy to reflect current terminology and to transition the initial 2016 COC appointment process to the ongoing appointment process.
Background:
On May 3, 2022, the County Commission adopted changes to the County’s Uniform Advisory Board Policy including the application of term limits to all advisory board appointees. At the end of the current 2-year term, 5 of 7 COC voting members and 2 of 7 COC alternates will reach their term limits. For reference, the current Board policy is as follows:
Term limits. Appointees to advisory boards shall serve no more than eight consecutive years, or ten years in 16-year period, on the same advisory board for which there is not an interlocal agreement or memorandum of understanding or other contractual commitment precluding imposition of a term limit. A commissioner may request the board of county commissioners waive the aforementioned term limits should the commissioner have difficulty filling an advisory board appointee position. A waiver of the term limits will only be granted if the board votes in favor of the waiver by a supermajority vote.
On August 27th, the County Commission approved legislative intent and permission to advertise ordinance modifications to enact the following changes to the COC structure, as recommended by the COC:
|
Existing Fields of Expertise |
Recommended Fields of Expertise |
|
1. science, |
1. science, |
|
2. technology, |
2. technology, |
|
3. economics/finance, |
3. economics/finance, |
|
4. real estate, |
4. real estate, |
|
5. lagoon advocacy |
5. lagoon commerce, |
|
6. education/outreach and |
6. lagoon education/outreach/advocacy |
|
7. tourism |
7. tourism, and |
|
|
8. 2 non-voting, emeritus members |
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
File certified copies of the ordinance with the Florida Department of State upon adoption by the Board and copy the Natural Resources Management Department.