8.6 Polk County Efficiency Commission

Not later than January 31 of 2005 and of every eighth year thereafter, there shall be appointed a Polk County Efficiency Commission.

8.6.1 Method of appointment. Following the organizational meetings of the Board of County Commissioners and of the School Board after the general election of 2004 and each eighth year thereafter, the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners shall convene a nominating committee consisting of the Chair, the Chair of the School Board, a county constitutional officer selected by a majority of the elected county constitutional officers, two elected Polk County municipal officials selected by the Ridge League of Cities, two persons selected by the Polk Association of Chamber Executives, and one person selected by the League of Women Voters of Polk County.

Should any non-governmental organization named in this subsection cease to exist or fail to make a selection, a majority of the remaining members of the nominating committee may designate a successor organization of similar interests to select the necessary member of the nominating committee.

Any vacancy in the nominating committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original selection. The nominating committee, having due regard for the principles of Section 6.3 of this Charter and the duties of the Polk County Efficiency Commission, shall by majority of its whole number appoint not less than 17 nor more than 25 members of the Efficiency Commission, and shall thereupon be dissolved. In the event of the death, resignation, removal of residence from Polk County, or permanent disqualification or inability to serve of any member of the Efficiency Commission, a majority of the remaining members of the Efficiency Commission shall appoint a successor member.

8.6.2 Qualifications of members. Each member of the Polk County Efficiency Commission shall be a resident of and shall be registered as a voter in Polk County, and shall not be an elected official or employee of any governmental unit within Polk County.

8.6.3 Duties of members and other officers. The Polk County EfficiencyCommission shall elect a chair and, by majority of its whole number, adopt and amend its rules of procedure. The Board of County Commissioners, in accordance with Section 2.8 of this Charter, shall provide necessary funds for the work of the Commission, including but not limited to provision for the employment of an executive director.

The Efficiency Commission shall conduct a comprehensive study of government in Polk County, including but not limited to the organization, structure, effectiveness and efficiency of any board, officer, authority, agency, division, department or other unit of government included within the budget approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The study shall include an examination and analysis of the most effective and cost-efficient means of delivery of services to all of the citizens of the County in a responsible and effective manner, and may include consideration of private delivery of services and ways in which to coordinate effective and efficient delivery of services by, between and among governmental units, including municipalities and the School District.

The Commission shall also study the mission, goals and objectives of the selected governmental units. This study shall examine whether the mission, goals and objectives of the governmental units are adequately measured for performance and outcomes using unbiased techniques; are communicated to the citizens of Polk County; and are consistent with public expectations. All offices and departments of the Board of County Commissioners, and all other public officers and governmental units within the County, are directed to provide information and cooperation to the Efficiency Commission as may be necessary to the successful discharge of its duties.

Requests for information made by the Efficiency Commission shall be submitted to the chief administrative officer of the governmental unit.

8.6.4 Reports of Commission and required responses. The Efficiency Commission, after one or more public hearings, shall complete and deliver to the Board of County Commissioners, the School Board of Polk County, each municipal government within Polk County, and to any other public officer or governmental body substantially addressed or affected thereby:

(1) a report containing its interim recommendations, on or before January 31 of the year following appointment of the Efficiency Commission. This requirement shall not prevent other or more frequent interim recommendations.

(2) a report containing its final recommendations, on or before January 31 of the second year following appointment of the Efficiency Commission.

(3) any recommendations for amendment of the Polk County Charter. Such recommendations may be immediately considered by the Board of County Commissioners for proposal to the electors in accordance with Section 8.3.1 of this Charter, at the next otherwise scheduled election occurring more than 60 days thereafter. Any recommendations for charter amendment which the Board of County Commissioners has failed to propose to the electors shall be submitted by the Board of County Commissioners to the next regularly appointed Charter Review Commission for its consideration.

After the delivery of the final report, the Polk County Efficiency Commission shall be dissolved. Not later than twelve months after the delivery of each report of the Efficiency Commission, the County Manager shall deliver to each designated recipient of that report a compliance report showing actions taken or refused by any affected officer, board, department or governmental unit with respect to each of the Efficiency Commission's recommendations.