By-Laws

2.01 The Advisory Board shall have such responsibilities as assigned by the Commissioners Court and may include:

• Assist in finding energy-saving, and water conservation alternatives to traditional designs for new construction projects, landscaping ideas that help conserve water, as well as other environmentally friendly avenues that can save energy and money within the County
• Review recommendations forwarded to the Advisory Board by Commissioners Court
• Explore ways to promote better environmental living conditions for the residents of Denton County
• Review residential building standards to help ensure energy-saving benefits as well as environmentally sensitive construction
• Perform other advisory duties as the Court may direct

• 3.01 Advisory Board members serve at the pleasure of the Commissioners Court member making the appointment and may be removed without cause.
• 3.02 All Advisory Board recommendations are subject to Commissioners Court approval and the availability of funds.

Number of Members

4.01 The Advisory Board shall consist of ten voting members, each of whom reside and/or work in Denton County. The Advisory Board shall also include a non-voting resource member appointed by the North Texas Clean Air Coalition. The majority of the Advisory Board will at all times be made up of Denton County residents. Every effort will be made to insure that the membership is representative of all geographical areas of the County and of all groups who may have a primary interest in the environmental concerns of Denton County.

Appointment Process

4.02 The Commissioners Court shall appoint the Members of the Advisory Board. Each Commissioner may nominate two persons. The County Judge will have two at-large appointments. All appointments will require approval by a majority vote of the Commissioners Court.

Tenure

4.03 The term of office shall be two years, with staggered appointments so that no more than five appointments shall expire in any one year. No member shall serve more than three terms. Terms will begin January 1 and end December 31.Vacancies

Vacancies

4.04 Any position that becomes vacant shall be filled by the Commissioners Court in accordance with Section 4.01 and 402, for a period equal to the unexpired term of the member being replaced.

Attendance

4.05 Any Advisory Board member shall be removed by the Commissioners Court if he/she is absent for three consecutive meetings at the discretion of the Commissioners Court.

Compensation

4.07 The members of the Advisory Board shall not be entitled to receive any salary or other form of compensation for their services.

Quorum

5.01 A simple majority of all voting members of the Advisory Board shall constitute a quorum.

Officers

• 5.02 The Advisory Board shall elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson from its membership once a year at a meeting in January. Nominees shall require receipt of a majority of the votes cast for such office before being declared as elected. No officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms in any one office. The Chairperson shall be the presiding officer at all meetings. The Vice-Chairperson shall preside in the absence of the Chairperson and shall perform other duties as specified by the Chairperson or the Board.
• 5.03 The Board may elect additional officers from time to time if such is deemed necessary to effectively conduct the business of the Board. Election for such officers shall be conducted in the same manner prescribed in section 5.02.

Meetings

5.04 Meetings shall be held on an as needed basis. Special meetings may be called at any time, by the Commissioners Court, the Advisory Board Chairperson, or at the request of majority of the Advisory Board members. All meetings shall be held at times and places that will facilitate attendance by the Public and shall be held in accordance with Open Meetings Act, Article 6525-17, V.A.T.S.

Notice

• 5.05 A minimum of 72 hours advance notice of all Advisory Board meetings shall be accordance with Texas Open Meetings Act - Chapter 551 Texas Government Code. Members shall be given at least ten days advance written notice of regular meetings of the Advisory Board and at least seven days advance written notice of special meetings. This notice will include the agenda packet and minutes from the last meeting.
• 5.06 Any person desiring Advisory Board consideration of an item shall submit such a request in writing not less than 14 days prior to the meeting at which the item is intended to be addressed.

Rules of Conduct

5.07 The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised, 1980 shall govern the Advisory Board in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these rules. The order of business shall follow the agenda, as publicized in accordance with the Open Meeting Act, Article 6252-17, Section 3, V.A.T.S.

Conflict of Interest

5.08 Any conflict of interest, real or perceived, will require voter abstention. It is imperative that Advisory Board Members do not realize any form of monetary gain from Advisory Board recommendations. Advisory Board Members will be required to sign a conflict of interest statement upon appointment to the Advisory Board.

Minutes

5.09 The Chairperson or their designee shall keep minutes of all regular and special meetings. Minutes shall require approval by a majority of the Advisory Board at the following meeting; copies of the official minutes shall be forwarded to the Aide-to-the-Court for distribution.

6.01 No member of the Advisory Board shall take any action or make any statement committing the Advisory Board unless given authority to do so by the Advisory Board. All written communication to outside groups shall have Advisory Board approval.

7.01 Denton County Commissioners Court administrative and support departments shall provide clerical and technical support for the Advisory Board.