Department: Legislature and County Attorney

Procedure:

1. Advisory boards, commissions and committees, made up of interested lay volunteers, affiliated with Tompkins County government are available in a list at the Tompkins County Legislature Office.

2. Members of these advisory bodies are appointed by the Tompkins County Legislature or the Chair of the Legislature according to the procedure outlined in the Rules of the Tompkins County Legislature. Names of persons interested in serving on an advisory body should be submitted to the Legislature committee within whose area of responsibility the advisory group would fall (contact the Clerk of the Legislature for current committee responsibilities). The Legislature Committee will carry the name through the appointment procedure. A file of names of persons interested in serving on advisory boards will be maintained in the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature.

3. All appointed members of County-affiliated boards, commissions and committees must take and file an official oath in the manner prescribed in the Public Officers Law (see Policy 01-14).

4. Some advisory bodies have the power as granted by Tompkins County Charter and Code to draft bylaws for approval by the Tompkins County Legislature, elect officers from its membership (unless otherwise provided by Legislature resolution), and establish committees. Prior to submission to the Committee of the Tompkins County Legislature for approval, new or amended bylaws must be submitted to the County Administrator's office and the County Attorney for review. Updated copies of bylaws must be kept on file in the Office of the Clerk of the Tompkins County Legislature.

5. All advisory board members must be residents of Tompkins County, except where State or Federal law provides otherwise or where the County Legislature approves advisory board bylaws that provide that one or more seats on the advisory board will be filled by the holder of a particular office or position.