§ 2-51. Administration.

(1)

The general administration and responsibility for the proper administration of the fund and for making effective the provisions of this section are hereby vested in a board of trustees consisting of five (5) persons each as follows:

(a)

Two (2) citizens, who are legal residents or current employees of the city, who shall be appointed by the city commission;

(b)

Two (2) full-time firefighters who shall be elected by the majority of the active firefighters who are members of such plan.

(c)

The fifth member shall be chosen by majority of the previous four (4) members and such person's name shall be submitted to the city commission. Upon receipt of that person's name, the city commission shall, as a ministerial duty, appoint such person to the board of trustees as its fifth member.

(d)

Until all members of the board have been appointed, the current pension board shall continue to function.

(2)

Each resident or employee trustee member shall serve as a trustee for a period of two (2) years, unless sooner replaced by the commission, and may succeed himself or herself as a trustee.

(3)

Each firefighter member shall serve as a trustee for a period of two (2) years, unless he or she sooner leaves the employment of the City of Lauderhill Fire Department, whereupon a successor shall be chosen in the same manner as an original appointment. Each firefighter trustee may succeed himself or herself in office.

(4)

The board shall establish and administer the election procedures for each election.

(5)

The trustees shall by majority vote elect from their number a chair and a secretary. The secretary of the board shall keep a complete minute book of the actions, proceedings, or hearings of the board.

(6)

The trustees shall serve without compensation, but they may be reimbursed from the fund for all necessary expenses which they may actually expend through service on the board.

(7)

Each trustee shall, within ten (10) days after his appointment or election, take an oath of office before the city clerk of the city, that he or she will diligently and honestly administer the affairs of the said board, and that he or she will not knowingly violate or willingly permit to be violated any of the provisions of the law applicable to the system. Such oath shall be subscribed to by the members and certified by the said clerk and filed in the office of the city clerk.

(8)

Each trustee shall be entitled to one (1) vote on the board. Three (3) affirmative votes shall be necessary for a decision by the trustees at any meeting of the board. The chairman shall have the right to one (1) vote only.

(9)

Subject to the limitations of this division, the board of trustees shall from time to time establish uniform rules and regulations for the administration of funds created by this division and for transaction of its business, including provisions for expulsion due to nonattendance of its members which could result in a vacancy.

(10)

The board of trustees shall engage such actuarial and other services as shall be required to transact the business of the retirement system. The compensation of all persons engaged by the board of trustees and all other expenses of the board necessary for the operation of the retirement system shall be paid at such rates and in such amounts as the board of trustees shall agree. Funds may be disbursed by the city finance department or other disbursing agent as determined by the board, but only upon written authorization by the board of trustees.

(11)

Any elected trustee who neglects the duties of his office, as determined by the board, may be removed by three (3) concurring votes of the board of trustees.

(12)

The duties and responsibilities of the board of trustees shall include, but not necessarily be limited by, the following:

(a)

To construe the provisions of the system and determine all questions arising thereunder.

(b)

To determine all questions relating to eligibility and participation.

(c)

To determine and certify amount of all retirement allowances or other benefits hereunder.

(d)

To establish uniform rules and procedures to be followed for administrative purposes, benefit applications and all matters required to administer the system.

(e)

To distribute, at regular intervals to employees, information concerning the system.

(f)

To receive and process all applications for participation and benefits.

(g)

To authorize all payments whatsoever from the fund, and to notify the disbursing agent, in writing, of approved benefit payments and other expenditures arising through operation of the system and fund.

(h)

To have performed actuarial studies and annual actuarial valuations, and make recommendations to the city council regarding changes in the provisions of the system.

(i)

To review reports of and have meetings with the custodian and investment agent or advisor; to require written reports from the custodian on fund assets and transactions on a quarterly or more frequent basis if deemed advisable by the board; to require written and oral report from the investment agent or advisor on at least a semi-annual basis, such reports to reflect fund investment performance, investment recommendations and overall review of fund investment policies.

(j)

To perform such other duties as are specified in this division.

(k)

To take all actions necessary for the proper operation of this fund and for making the effective the provisions of this part.

(13)

In the event that any claim is denied, the board of trustees shall provide a written explanation of such denial to the members involved. At the request of the member, a full and fair review of such denial shall be held at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.

(Ord. No. 00O-6-33, § 1, 6-26-00; Ord. No. 07O-01-105, § 1, 2-12-07)