Ridgecrest Municipal Code § 9-80 Appointment and tenure of committee members

A citizens' oversight committee is hereby established to oversee expenditures of the revenues received by the city from the sales and use taxes imposed pursuant to this chapter, and to ensure that tax revenues are spent by the city in a manner consistent with the voter approved measure adopting this chapter as well as any voter approved or council approved priorities adopted to implement the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 24-06, § 2, 12-4-2024)

(a) The citizens' oversight committee shall consist of five members appointed by the city council. Three members shall constitute a quorum. The city manager shall appoint an ex-officio staff person to serve as the secretary and custodian of records who shall not have a vote.

(b) Upon their appointment and during their incumbency, members of the committee shall be and remain residents of the city; provided, however, that city employees, other city officials, and city vendors shall not be qualified to serve as committee members at any time they occupy such positions or are engaged in such business. Should a member cease to be a city resident, that office shall be deemed vacant and the term of such member terminated. The secretary shall notify the city council and city manager of such termination as soon as administratively possible.

(c) All members of the committee shall serve at the pleasure of the city council and may be removed by a majority vote of the city council at any time.

(Ord. No. 24-06, § 2, 12-4-2024)

(a) Of the members of the committee first appointed, two shall be appointed for terms of one year, two shall be appointed for terms of two years, and one shall be appointed for a term of three years. Succeeding members shall be appointed for terms of four years. The secretary's term shall be designated by the city manager. All members shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.

(b) Should a member of the committee fail to attend three consecutive meetings, unless excused for cause by the chairperson, that member's office shall be deemed vacant and the member's term ended. The committee secretary shall immediately notify the city council and city clerk of such termination.

(Ord. No. 24-06, § 2, 12-4-2024)

(a) Each January, a board, commission, or committee shall annually organize and elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from its membership for a one-year term. In the chairperson's or vice-chairperson's absence or disability, the committee may designate a chairperson or vice-chairperson pro tempore.

(b) Regular meetings shall be held on the day and time established by resolution of the board, commission, or committee as amended from time-to-time.

(c) Each board commission or committee shall establish a procedure for calling special meetings and may also adopt application requirements, meeting procedures, and other reasonable rules and regulations for conducting business. Minutes shall be kept of all meetings and the secretary shall deliver copies of minutes to the city manager and city clerk for filing and distribution to city council members.

(d) Any board, commission, or committee may designate one of its members, or a subcommittee composed of not more than two members, to study, review, consider, or make recommendations concerning any matter within its purview, provided that, a board, commission, or committee authorized to consist of seven members may designate one of its members, or a subcommittee composed of not more than three members, to study, review, consider, or make recommendations.

(Ord. No. 24-06, § 2, 12-4-2024)

(a) The committee is charged with the following responsibilities:

(1) Reviewing all appropriations of revenues received by the city from the sales and use taxes imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter to determine whether such funds are to be used as provided for in this chapter and the voter approved measure that adopted this chapter;

(2) Reviewing the audit prepared by an independent auditor retained by the city to perform the city's comprehensive annual financial report to determine whether such funds have been spent as provided for in this chapter and the voter approved measure; and

(3) Prepare and issue the committee's own annual report setting forth their findings in regard to the foregoing.

(b) The committee shall confine itself specifically to funds received by the city from the sales and use taxes imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. City revenues and funds generated through other sources are outside the scope of the committee.

(c) In order to preserve the integrity and independence of the oversight process, committee members will not play a formal role in contracting, project management, construction, or any other aspect of the public safety funding. In addition, the committee is not charged with decision-making on spending priorities, construction schedules, project details, funding source decisions (e.g. leveraged funds, developer fees, etc.), financing plans, tax rate assumptions, or selection of consultants, design, and construction firms.

(Ord. No. 24-06, § 2, 12-4-2024)