Rincon, City of; designation of electors; revise provisions

Rincon property-owner voting and board rules

The law sets voting and board rules for Rincon community improvement districts. Eligible voters own district property subject to district taxes, fees, and assessments, as shown in the latest Effingham County property tax records. A corporate owner can act through one officer or director, and a trust through one trustee. An owner can also designate a representative in writing to the city attorney at least eight days before an election. That designation must use a form the city attorney accepts. Each owner gets one vote, even with several parcels; co-owners of one parcel must choose one person to cast its vote. The board starts with five members: one appointed by the city council, one by the city manager, and three elected by eligible voters. The council appointment requires a majority vote when a quorum is present. The board can expand to seven members, with both added seats elected. Elected members must remain eligible voters or their seats become vacant; appointed members serve at their appointing authority's pleasure. The board chooses its officers, and members receive no pay but can recover actual expenses. The city council can recall the board by resolution, or one-third of district voters can sign a recall petition. The initial election meeting must occur within 60 days after a council resolution sets its time and place. Annual election meetings must occur within 60 days after the county property tax return filing deadline, filling expiring or vacant seats. For a vacancy, the board must call a special election within 60 days. Special elections are optional when a vacancy occurs within 180 days of the next regular election. Election notices must appear in the county's official legal newspaper weekly for four weeks before the meeting. Georgia's election-code Chapters 2 and 4 do not apply to board elections or recalls. The board can adopt election bylaws consistent with this law.