Rules

Rules. The Board of Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners may appoint such deputy commissioners as they deem appropriate. The following rules or criteria have been established by the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission: A. Up to five (5) deputy commissioners, but no more than one representing each supervisor beat, may be appointed, unless there is no person qualified or willing to serve in another supervisor's beat. Where the latter is the case, the letter that transmits the appointment form should so state that this is the situation. B. Deputy Appointment form (Exhibit 10) is used to make the appointment. C. Appointments are to be made by official action of the Board of District Commissioners and recorded in the minutes. D. Appointments are to be made for one (1) year effective on October 1st each year. E. A copy of the appointment form will be sent to the Commission office. F. Deputy commissioners will not receive any compensation for the service provided. G. Deputy commissioners shall be entitled to expenses, including traveling expenses incurred in discharging their duties at the rate established by the State of Mississippi in Section 25-3-41 Mississippi Code 1972 Annotated. H. A deputy commissioner may resign by notifying the board of commissioners orally or in writing. Acceptance of said resignation shall be an official action of the board and so recorded in the minutes. The commissioners may appoint a deputy commissioner to fill the unexpired term, which is through September 30th each year. I. Deputy commissioners shall not be entitled to vote on any matter coming before the commissioners. J. The Board of Commissioners is given the authority to replace a deputy commissioner when he/she has not met the qualification standards and/or has not performed the duties and responsibilities as set forth by the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission. The cause for replacement must be an official action of the board and so recorded in the minutes. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-41 (1972) ELC-1 (Adopted 3/22/89) Exhibit1 NOMINATING NOTICE Pursuant to the provision of Section 69-27-31, Mississippi Code 1972 Annotated, and the established procedures of the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission, nominations will be accepted for the election of ___________________________ County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners for beats _______, _______, and, _______ until _______________. Nominating Petition forms and election procedures may be obtained from the ___________________________ County Soil and Water Conservation District office, located at ___________________________________________________ in ________________________________, Mississippi. Signed by Authority of the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission as recorded in its minutes of ____________________________. ________________________________________ Executive Director, MSWCC NOTE TO THE EDITOR: This notice is to be published pursuant to section 25-7-65, Mississippi Code 1972 Annotated, one (1) time IN THE LEGAL NOTICE SECTION. Send Proof of Publication and bill to: Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission P. O. Box 23005 Jackson, MS 39225-3005 ELC - 2 (Revised 1/17/90) Exhibit 2 NOTICE OF ELECTION Pursuant to the provisions of Section 69-27-31, Mississippi Code 1972 Annotated, an election will be held on __________________________ to elect three (3) commissioners for the _____________________________ County Soil and Water Conservation District from beats __________, __________, and __________. VOTING PLACE - TIME - LOCATION Beat #: ____________ Place: ______________________________________ From _______ To _______ Location: _______________________________________________________________ Beat #: ____________ Place: _____________________________________ From _______ To _______ Location: _______________________________________________________________ Beat #: ____________ Place: _____________________________________ From _______ To _______ Location: _______________________________________________________________ Beat #: ____________ Place: _____________________________________ From _______ To _______ Location: _______________________________________________________________ Beat #: ____________ Place: _____________________________________ From _______ To _______ Location: _______________________________________________________________ Signed by Authority of the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission as recorded in its minutes of _________________________________. ________________________________________ Executive Director, MSWCC NOTE TO THE EDITOR: This notice is to be published pursuant to section 25-7-65, Mississippi Code 1972 Annotated, three (3) times IN THE LEGAL NOTICE SECTION prior to the election, with a lapse of seven (7) days between each publication. Send Proof of Publication and bill to: Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission P. O. Box 23005 Jackson, MS 39225-3005 ELC - 3 (Adopted 3/22/89) Exhibit 3 NOMINATING PETITION FOR THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER The undersigned landowners within the territorial boundaries of the ____________________ County Soil and Water Conservation District of the State of Mississippi, do hereby nominate ___________________________ whose address is _____________________________ and resident of beat ______ as a candidate for the office of commissioner for beat _______ of the ________________________ County Soil and Water Conservation District at the election to be held on ____________________________. NOTE: A minimum of 25 signatures of landowners is required. NAME ADDRESS 1)________________________________|_____________________________________ 2)________________________________|_____________________________________ 3)________________________________|_____________________________________ 4)________________________________|_____________________________________ 5)________________________________|_____________________________________ 6)________________________________|_____________________________________ 7)________________________________|_____________________________________ 8)________________________________|_____________________________________ 9)________________________________|_____________________________________ 10)________________________________|_____________________________________ 11)________________________________|_____________________________________ 12)________________________________|_____________________________________ 13)________________________________|_____________________________________ 14)________________________________|_____________________________________ 15)________________________________|_____________________________________ 16)________________________________|_____________________________________ 17)________________________________|_____________________________________ 18)________________________________|_____________________________________ 19)________________________________|_____________________________________ 20)________________________________|_____________________________________ 21)________________________________|_____________________________________ 22)________________________________|_____________________________________ 23)________________________________|_____________________________________ 24)________________________________|_____________________________________ 25)________________________________|_____________________________________ Exhibit 3 AGREEMENT FOR PROSPECTIVE SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONER Upon election as a soil and water conservation district commissioner, I agree to devote the time required to actively participate in district affairs, including regular attendance at board meetings. I also agree to carry out the authorities of a district commissioner as set forth by the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission to the best of my ability. I recognize that in becoming a District Commissioner, I will be a public official. Therefore, I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that I am a landowner or operator in ______________________________ County and do hereby agree to be nominated for a SWCD Commissioner to the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission. DATE: ___________________ SIGNATURE: _______________________________ ELC-4 (Approved & Adopted 3/89) Exhibit 4 REGISTER OF VOTERS IN ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS for the ___________________________ County Soil and Water Conservation District. Held on _____________________, in Beat # _____, at voting place: _________________________________, ___________________________. “Landowner” includes any person, firm or corporation who shall hold legal or equitable title to any land lying within the district. Therefore, I the undersigned do hereby certify that I am a landowner in the ________________________ County Soil and Water Conservation District. NAME ADDRESS 1)_______________________________|______________________________________ 2)_______________________________|______________________________________ 3)_______________________________|______________________________________ 4)_______________________________|______________________________________ 5)_______________________________|______________________________________ 6)_______________________________|______________________________________ 7)_______________________________|______________________________________ 8)_______________________________|______________________________________ 9)_______________________________|______________________________________ 10)______________________________|______________________________________ 11)______________________________|______________________________________ 12)______________________________|______________________________________ 13)______________________________|______________________________________ 14)______________________________|______________________________________ 15)______________________________|______________________________________ 16)______________________________|______________________________________ 17)______________________________|______________________________________ 18)______________________________|______________________________________ 19)______________________________|______________________________________ 20)______________________________|______________________________________ 21)______________________________|______________________________________ 22)______________________________|______________________________________ 23)______________________________|______________________________________ 24)______________________________|______________________________________ 25)______________________________|______________________________________ ELC-5 (Adopted 7/23/91) Exhibit 5 STATEMENT OF CERTIFICATION (Election Judge) District: _______________________________ Soil and Water Conservation District Election Date: _____________________________ Beat Number: ________________ Ballot Box Number: _____________ Voting Location: _____________________________________________________________ RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ELECTION JUDGE 1. Be present during voting hours, which begin at ________________ a.m. and end at ____________ p.m. 2. Make sure all individuals read and sign the REGISTER OF VOTERS (ELC-4) before voting. 3. Place REGISTER OF VOTERS (ELC-4) and this form in ballot box with OFFICIAL BALLOTS and seal ballot box. TO: MISSISSIPPI SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION: I hereby certify that the above listed responsibilities have been carried out to the best of my knowledge and ability. Signed: ______________________________ _____________________ Election Judge Date ELC-6 (Adopted 3/27/89) Exhibit 6 REPORT OF ELECTION RESULTS TO COMMISSION _______________________ County Soil and Water Conservation District To the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission: Notice is hereby given that the tabulation set out below gives a full, correct and true report of the result of an election for commissioners of the _____________________________ County Soil and Water Conservation District, held on ________________________________. NAME OF CANDIDATE BEAT NUMBER REPRESENTED NUMBER OF VOTES __________________ ________ ________ __________________ ________ ________ __________________ ________ ________ __________________ ________ ________ __________________ ________ ________ Signed: _______________________________ Contact Person ________________________________ Date ELC-7 (Adopted 3/22/89) Exhibit 7 NOTICE OF RESULT OF ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS Pursuant to the provisions of Section 69-27-31, Mississippi Code 1972 Annotated, an election was held on _________________________________________ to elect three (3) commissioners for the ________________________________ County Soil and Water Conservation District. The result is as follows representing: Beat #: _______________ Name: __________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________ Beat #: _______________ Name: __________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________ Beat #: _______________ Name: _________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________ Signed by Authority of an order to the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission in its minutes of _______________________________. ________________________________________ Executive Director, MSWCC NOTE TO THE EDITOR: This notice is to be published pursuant to Section 25-7-65, Mississippi Code 1972 Annotated, one (1) time in the LEGAL NOTICE SECTION. Send proof of publication and bill to: Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission P. O. Box 23005 Jackson, MS 39225-3005 Exhibit 8 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTACT PERSON IN ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS The contact person must be an appointed commissioner, approved by the district, and recorded in their minutes. Step 1: After the Commission has notified the contact person of the expiration date for the elected commissioners; the District must decide on the election date, voting places, (at least one per beat) and voting hours. When the Commission is notified of the election date, voting places, and voting hours, the Commission will publish the ELC-1 and the ELC-2 in the legal notice section of the local newspaper. Step 2: Fill in the top portion of the Nominating Petition (ELC-3), discuss the agreement on the back of the form with each prospective commissioner and have the nominee sign and date it. The Nominating Petition (ELC-3) on each candidate must be received by the Commission office at least 30 days prior to the election date. Step 3: Distribute all necessary material to the voting places: deliver the Ballots, Register of Voters (ELC-4), and Statement of Certification (ELC-5) to each voting place. Discuss the election judge responsibilities as stated on the Statement of Certification (ELC-5) with each election judge. It is preferred that the materials for voting be delivered and picked up the same day of the election. Step 4: Pick up the sealed ballot boxes and any unused materials from each voting place. Step 5: At a designated place open to all candidates, tabulate the votes from each voting place and verify the totals on the Report of Election Results to Commission (ELC-6). Mail the following original reports: Register of Voters (ELC-4), Statement of Certification (ELC-5) and the Report of Election Results to Commission (ELC-6) to the following: Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission P. O. Box 23005 Jackson, MS 39225-3005 These forms should be mailed the day following the election. ELC-9 (Adopted 03/11/10) Exhibit 9 Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioner Appointment Recommendation Form DISTRICT: ______________________________________________________County SWCD NAME OF NOMINEE: __________________________________________________________ NAME OF COMMISSIONER REPLACED: __________________________________________ (If Applicable) ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________ CITY, STATE, ZIPCODE: _______________________________________________________ HOME PHONE:__________________BUSINESS PHONE: ____________________________ Upon acceptance to serve as a soil and water conservation district commissioner, I agree to devote the time required to actively participate in district affairs, including regular attendance at board meetings. I also agree to carry out the authorities of a district commissioner as set forth by the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission to the best of my ability. I recognize that in becoming a District Commissioner, I will be a public official. Therefore, I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that I am a landowner or operator in _________________ County and do hereby agree to be nominated for a SWCD Commissioner to the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commissioner. I further certify that I have not been convicted (unless pardoned) of bribery, perjury or other infamous crime. DATE:______________________ NOMINEE SIGNATURE:__________________________________ A majority of the commissioners of the __________________________ County Soil and Water Conservation District recommends to the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission the individual listed above as an appointed District Commissioner. This action has been recorded in the minutes of our board. DATE:__________________________ SIGNATURE:__________________________________ (Commissioner) NOTE: Send this original form to the Mississippi Soil & Water Conservation Commission Exhibit 10 (Adopted 03/11/10) Deputy Commissioner DISTRICT: _______________________________________________________County SWCD NAME OF NOMINEE:_____________________________ Resident of Beat #_______________ ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________ CITY, STATE, ZIP: ______________________________________________________________ HOME PHONE:_____________________BUSINESS PHONE: _________________________ Upon acceptance to serve as a soil and water conservation district deputy commissioner, I agree to devote the time required to actively participate in district affairs, including regular attendance at board meetings. I also agree to carry out the authorities of a deputy commissioner as set forth by the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission to the best of my ability. I understand that deputy commissioners are not entitled to vote. Therefore, I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that I am a landowner or operator in _________________County and do hereby agree to serve as a deputy commissioner. I further certify that I have not been convicted (unless pardoned) of bribery, perjury or other infamous crime. DATE:____________________NOMINEE SIGNATURE:______________________________ ****************************************************************************** A majority of the board of commissioners of the ______________________ County Soil and Water Conservation District do approve the individual listed above to serve as a deputy commissioner in beat _______________________. This action has been recorded in the minutes of our board. DATE:________________ SIGNATURE:_______________________________________ NOTE: Send a copy of this form to the Mississippi Soil & Water Conservation Commission. OATH OF OFFICE Exhibit 11 SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONER STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, COUNTY OF ____________________________________________________ I, ______________________________________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Mississippi, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the powers and duties incumbent upon me as a Commissioner of the _________________________________________ County Soil and Water Conservation District according to the best of my ability so help me God. Signed:_______________________________________ (District Commissioner) CERTIFICATION OF OATH I,______________________________,a_____________________________________ (Notary) do certify that ___________________________________ on this ___________________ day of (print name of Commissioner) (day) __________________, ______________, personally appeared before me and took and subscribed (month) (year) the above oath. Signed:_______________________________ (Notary) My Commission Expires ________________________________ Note: The oath may be administered by any judge of the courts or the chancery or circuit clerk or the Chairman of the Commission. Exhibit 12 SUMMARY OF ELECTION PROCEDURES 1. The Commission will notify the SWCD of upcoming elected commissioner expiration dates, at least 75 days prior to the expiration date. 2. The SWCD will set the election date, voting places (at least one per beat), and voting hours before the election process can begin. 3. The Commission will publish the Nominating Notice (ELC-1) at least 60 days prior to the election date. 4. Nominating Petitions (ELC-3) will be accepted by the District for approximately 20 days. 5. The Nominating Petitions (ELC-3) must be received in the Commission office at least 30 days prior to the election date. 6. Approximately 30 days prior to the election, the Commission will publish the Election Notice (ELC-2) 3 times, with an interval of 7 days between each publication. 7. The Statement of Certification (Election Judge) (ELC-5) will be signed by the election judge at each voting place. The election judge will sign the ELC-5 and insert ELC-4, ELC-5 and the ballots into the ballot box and then seal the ballot box. 8. The contact person must be an appointed commissioner and will be responsible for picking up the sealed ballot boxes from each voting place. The ballot boxes will be opened and votes tabulated by the contact person in a designated place that is open to all the candidates. The contact person will summarize the votes on Report of Election Results to Commission (ELC-6), and will return original forms ELC-4, ELC-5 and ELC-6 to the Commission. 9. The Commission will publish the Election Results (ELC-7), after the Commission approves the election. ELECTION CALENDAR Election Date _________________________________ (set by the District) Action to be taken prior to the election date: 60 days The Commission will publish the Nominating Notice (ELC-1). 40 days The deadline for the district to accept Nominating Petitions (ELC-3). 30 days The deadline for the Commission to accept Nominating Petitions (ELC-3). These forms must be in the Commission Office 30 days prior to the election date. 30 days The Commission will publish the Election Notice (ELC-2) 3 times, with an interval of 7 days between each publication.