Sec. 5. (a) If a tax is levied under section 3 of this chapter, the county executive shall create a commission to promote the development and growth of the convention and visitor industry in the county.

(b) The commission consists of seven (7) members. The county executive shall appoint all members to the commission. Four (4) members must be actively engaged in the management of a hotel or motel in the county. The remainder of the commission members must be members, officers, or directors of a chamber of commerce within the county or of other Indiana not-for-profit corporations organized to promote and solicit conventions, trade shows, or visitors in the county.

(c) All terms of office of commission members begin on January 1. Initial appointments must be for staggered terms, with subsequent appointments for two (2) year terms. A member whose term expires may be reappointed to serve another term. If a vacancy occurs, the county executive shall appoint a qualified person, as provided in subsection (b), to serve for the remainder of the term.

(d) A member of the commission may be removed for cause by the county executive.

(e) Members of the commission may not receive a salary. However, commission members are entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their respective duties.

(f) Each commission member, before entering his duties, shall take an oath of office in the usual form, to be endorsed upon his certificate of appointment and promptly filed with the clerk of the circuit court of the county.

(g) The commission shall meet after January 1 each year for the purpose of organization. It shall elect one (1) of its members president, another vice president, another secretary, and another treasurer. The members elected to those offices shall perform the duties pertaining to the offices. The first officers chosen shall serve from the date of their election until their successors are elected and qualified. A majority of the commission constitutes a quorum, and the concurrence of a majority of the commission is necessary to authorize any action.

As added by P.L.97-1983, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.73-1999, SEC.2.