Sec. 2. (a) There is created a ten (10) member convention and visitor commission (referred to as the “commission” in this chapter) whose purpose is to promote the development and growth of the convention and visitor industry in the county.

     (b) The county council shall, by majority vote, appoint three (3) members of the commission, at least one (1) of whom must be engaged in the hotel or motel business in the county, at least one (1) of whom must be a representative of the travel or visitor industry in the county, and at least one (1) of whom must be a member of the county council. The county commissioners shall, by majority vote, appoint three (3) members of the commission, at least one (1) of whom must be engaged in the hotel or motel business in the county, at least one (1) of whom must be a county commissioner, and at least one (1) of whom must be a representative of the county’s business community which representative may be an executive officer of the chamber of commerce of the county’s largest city. The members appointed by the council and the commissioners shall, by a majority vote, appoint one (1) member of the commission from the Purdue conferences department. The executive of the city with the greatest population in the county shall appoint two (2) members of the commission, one (1) who must be a representative of the economic development community and one (1) who must be a representative of the travel or visitor industry in the county. The executive of the city with the second greatest population in the county shall appoint one (1) member of the commission, who must be a representative of the travel or visitor industry.

     (c) All terms of office begin on January 1 and end on December 31. Members of the commission appointed by the county council serve two (2) year terms, and members appointed by the county commissioners or by the other members of the commission serve one (1) year terms. A member whose term expires may be reappointed to serve another term. If a vacancy occurs, a qualified person shall be appointed by the original appointing authority to serve for the remainder of the term.

     (d) A member of the commission may be removed for cause by his appointing authority.

     (e) Members of the commission may not receive a salary. However, commission members shall receive reimbursement for necessary expenses, but only when those necessary expenses are incurred in the performance of their respective duties. In addition, commission members may receive a maximum of thirty-five dollars ($35) per diem expenses for attendance at the official commission meetings.

As added by Acts 1978, P.L.50, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.85-1993, SEC.1.