§ 16-55. Retirement board—Generally.

(a)

The general administration of the plan and the responsibility for carrying out the provisions of this division are hereby vested in a retirement board. Such board shall be composed of five (5) members; three (3) of whom shall be participating employees whom shall be elected as follows: one (1) from the police and fire departments, one (1) from the gas, electric and water and sewer departments and one (1) from the community development, public works, customer service, garage, parks and recreation, finance, municipal court and administration departments. The elected participating employees shall serve six-year staggered terms or until their successors are elected. The other two (2) members shall be the city manager and the city finance director whose terms shall be equivalent to their employment in those capacities. Current board members terms will expire at the end of their existing term and at the next regularly scheduled election the elected board member will serve a six-year term. Elections for regularly expiring board member terms will be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

(b)

The board shall elect a chairman from among its members. The board shall also appoint a secretary who shall keep all records of its meetings and actions and execute on behalf of the board any paper or instrument when so required by the board.

(c)

The board members shall serve without pay but shall be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary disbursements made or expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties. The board may be authorized to compensate the secretary in an amount approved by the mayor and council.

(d)

No member shall be personally liable by virtue of any contract, agreement, bond or other instrument or undertaking made or executed by him as a member of the board, nor for honest mistakes of judgment, nor for any loss unless resulting from his own willful misconduct; and no member shall be liable for the act of neglect, omission or wrongdoing of any other member, or for those of agents or counsel of the board.

(e)

The city shall hold the retirement board harmless from and shall indemnify the members for the consequences of their acts or omissions and conduct in their official capacity, including the cost of litigation and counsel fees, except for such act, omission or conduct for which such member is liable under subsection (d).

(f)

Meetings of the board shall be held at such times and places as the majority of the members shall from time to time determine. A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum, and all decisions, acts and resolutions of the board shall be by an affirmative vote of at least three (3) members.

(g)

When a vacancy occurs or exists on the board, the remaining members, provided that they are not less than three (3), are authorized to perform all functions of the board. However, vacancies on the board shall be filled as expeditiously as possible.

(h)

Newly elected board members must begin pension trustee training through the Georgia Association of Public Pension Trustees within one (1) year of being elected to the pension board and become a certified pension trustee within three (3) years of being elected to the retirement board. Failure to meet any of these requirements will mean termination from the retirement board.

(i)

The city attorney is the legal advisor to the board.

(Code 1976, §§ 2-3022, 2-3023, 2-3025(b); Ord. No. 13-99, §§ 1, 2, 2-18-99; Ord. No. 55-03, § 2, 11-20-03; Ord. No. 51-08, § 1, 12-4-08; Ord. No. 29-14, 9-18-14)