There shall be an Office for the Aging in Tompkins County, headed
by a Director, who shall be appointed by the County Administrator
following consultation with the Office for the Aging Advisory Committee,
subject to confirmation by the Tompkins County Legislature. The Director
shall be appointed on the basis of professional experience working
with services for the aging and other qualifications appropriate to
the responsibilities of the office. The Director shall be directly
responsible to the County Administrator for the implementation of
policies established by the Tompkins County Legislature.
Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the Director of
the Office for the Aging shall have all the powers and perform all
the duties now or hereafter conferred or imposed by law upon a Director
of an Office for the Aging, together with such other and related duties
as may be required by the Tompkins County Legislature.
The Director shall have the power to appoint such deputies,
assistants, and employees of the Department as may be necessary to
perform the duties of the Office for the Aging and as shall be authorized
by the Tompkins County Legislature. All deputies, assistants, and
employees of the Department shall be directly responsible to the Director.
The powers and duties of the Director shall be to:
(a)Â
Conduct research on the needs of older adults in the County and develop
alternative means of meeting these needs;
(b)Â
Create, plan, and review needed programs and services for older adults;
(c)Â
Serve as liaison with existing organizations serving the needs of
the older adult population of the County;
(d)Â
Recommend to and cooperate with federal, state, and local agencies
in the development of public policy toward older adults, and advocating
on behalf of the older adult population as appropriate;
(e)Â
Contract with existing agencies or such new ones as may be appropriate
for new or increased services where federal, state, or local funding
may be available;
(f)Â
Provide information about programs and services for older adults
in the community and sources of support for programs and services;
(g)Â
When and if indicated, undertake on an interim or continuing basis
specific programs or services.
There shall be an Advisory Committee of 15 members appointed
by the Tompkins County Legislature, the composition of which shall
be as mandated by federal regulations and as determined by the Tompkins
County Legislature. The members of this Committee shall serve staggered
three-year terms, thus permitting the Tompkins County Legislature
to each year appoint 1/3 of the membership of the Committee. At least
50% of the membership of this Committee shall consist of persons 60
years or older and the remaining 50% shall be broadly representative
of individuals and public and private agencies and organizations in
the County concerned with the interests and needs of older adults.
In the event of the death or resignation of any member, the successor
shall be appointed to serve for the unexpired period of the term for
which such member had been appointed. The Tompkins County Legislature
may appoint County officials to serve ex officio on the Committee.
The Advisory Committee shall advise the Director of the Office for
the Aging on all operations of the office.
The Advisory Committee shall have the authority to draft bylaws
for approval by the Tompkins County Legislature, elect officers from
its membership, and establish committees. Updated copies of bylaws
must be kept on file in the office of the Clerk of the Tompkins County
Legislature.
