The Florida Senate

There is created and established a body politic and corporate, an agency of the state, to be known as the “St. Lucie County Expressway and Bridge Authority,” hereinafter referred to as the “authority.”

The authority shall have the exclusive right to exercise all those powers herein set forth; and no other entity, body, or authority, whether within or without St. Lucie County, may either directly or indirectly exercise any jurisdiction, control, authority, or power in any manner relating to any expressway and bridge system within St. Lucie County without either the express consent of the authority or as otherwise provided herein.

The governing body of the authority shall consist of nine members. Two members shall be members of the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, selected by such board, who shall serve for a period of 2 years. Two members shall be members of the City Commission of Fort Pierce, selected by such commission, who shall serve for a period of 2 years. Two members shall be members of the City Council of Port St. Lucie, selected by such council, who shall serve for a period of 2 years. A vacancy occurring among the selected members prior to the expiration of the affected term shall be filled for the unexpired term by the respective board, commission, or council. Three members shall be appointed by the Governor. Each appointed member’s term of office shall be for 4 years or until a successor has been appointed and has qualified; however, for the initial membership of the newly constituted governing body, one such member shall be appointed for a term of 2 years. A vacancy occurring among the appointed members prior to the expiration of the affected term shall be filled for the unexpired term by the Governor. No person who is an officer or employee of any city or of St. Lucie County in any other capacity may be an appointed member of the authority. Each such original selection or appointment shall be made within 30 days of the effective date of this part. Any member of the authority is eligible for reappointment.

The authority shall elect one of its members as chair of the authority. The authority shall also elect a secretary and a treasurer, who may or may not be members of the authority. The chair, secretary, and treasurer shall hold such offices at the will of the authority. Five members of the authority constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of four members is necessary for any action taken by the authority. No vacancy in the authority shall impair the right of a quorum of the authority to exercise all of the rights and perform all of the duties of the authority.

Upon the effective date of his or her appointment, or as soon as practicable thereafter, each appointed member of the authority shall enter upon his or her duties.

The authority may employ an executive secretary, an executive director, its own counsel and legal staff, technical experts, and such engineers and such employees, permanent or temporary, as it may require; determine the qualifications and fix the compensation of such persons, firms, or corporations; and employ a fiscal agent or agents. However, the authority shall solicit sealed proposals from at least three persons, firms, or corporations for the performance of any service as a fiscal agent. The authority may delegate to one or more of its agents or employees such of its powers as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this part, subject always to the supervision and control of the authority.

Members of the authority are entitled to receive from the authority their travel and other necessary expenses incurred in connection with the business of the authority as provided in s. 112.061, but they may draw no salaries or other compensation.