[HISTORY: Adopted by the County Commissioners of Kent County 9-6-2011 by Bill No. 4-2011.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This bill also repealed former Ch. 42, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, adopted 12-7 1993 by Bill No. 7-93, as amended.
The County Commissioners of Kent County may establish an Advisory Board of Parks and Recreation, with functions, POWERS, and duties as HEREIN PROVIDED.
A. 
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board shall consist of no more than 11 members appointed by the County Commissioners. The members shall be selected, as far as it is practical, with due regard to representation of all segments of Kent County's population and to all geographic portions of the County's area.
B. 
At least one member shall be a County Commissioner, who shall serve for his/her term in office; at least one member shall be a Board of Education member, who shall serve for his/her term in office; and at least two members shall be Kent County secondary school students, whose term shall be one year and may be reappointed. The membership shall also include the Director of Parks and Recreation and the Director of Public Works or his/her designated senior staff.
C. 
All other members shall be appointed for four years from the first day of January of the year of their appointments or until their successors are appointed.
D. 
Vacancies, except those at the expiration of a term, shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments and for the unexpired term.
E. 
Members of the Advisory Board may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in their duties, as determined by the County Commissioners.
Officers of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board shall be a Chair and a Vice Chair, who shall each be elected from among the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board's community membership. The terms of officers shall be two years or until a successor shall be elected and qualified. The duties of officers shall be set forth in the bylaws for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
A quorum of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board shall be a majority of all members thereof.
The County Commissioners may employ such personnel as they may consider necessary to administer the functions of parks and recreation properly, which shall include a Kent County Director of Parks and Recreation who shall serve at the pleasure of the County Commissions.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, subject to the budgetary policies, appropriations and approval of the County Commissioners, shall be responsible for advising the County Commissioners on the planning, organizing, coordinating and administering of all County parks, recreational facilities, the Kent County Community Center, and related programming, and shall be vested with authority to:
A. 
Further the public interest, understanding and appreciation of the benefits of intergenerational recreational facilities and programs on cultural, social, recreational, fitness and therapeutic opportunities, and community well-being.
B. 
Advise the County Commissioners on the location, equipping, maintenance and use of parks, recreational facilities, Community Center, and related programs.
C. 
Assist the County Commissioners in the planning, development, coordination, supervision and promotion of programming for the County's parks and Community Center.
D. 
Recommend facility policies, rules and regulations, including the setting of facility use and program participation fees.
E. 
The County Commissioners, by and through the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board may join or cooperate with the federal government, the State of Maryland or with one or more counties, municipal corporations, or with one or more community organizations, or with the Board of Education, or any other designated agency, department or board in acquiring, leasing, providing, establishing, and maintaining facilities, fundraising, and conducting or coordinating programs.
F. 
Recommend fundraising proposals and programs for purposes of capital, operational, maintenance and endowment support, and the sustainability of parks and recreational facilities, projects and programs.
G. 
Establish subcommittees, community-based advisory committees or focus groups comprised of members and nonmembers for the purpose of enlisting expertise, ensuring public input and fostering collaboration.
H. 
Foster partnerships between the public and private sectors in furtherance of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board's duties and responsibilities.
I. 
Establish bylaws for its governance and conduct of business, and recommend rules and regulations governing use and access to recreational programs and facilities.
J. 
Submit to the County Commissioners an annual report of its activities together with recommendations for further activities and development of the County's parks, Community Center, facilities, and related programs.
K. 
The Advisory Board may review the annual budget as proposed by the Parks and Recreation Director and the County Commissioners and make recommendations in regard to the budget.
L. 
Perform any other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the County Commissioners.
The members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board shall be under the direction of the County Commissioners and shall be subject to removal by the County Commissioners.