§ 2-80. Declaration of local emergency.

(a)

A state of local emergency shall be declared by proclamation of the board or an individual identified in the following subsection (c). The duration of a state of local emergency shall be limited to seven (7) days; however, it may be extended, as necessary, in seven-day increments. Upon finding that the threat no longer exists, the board or an individual identified in the following subsection (c) may, by proclamation, terminate the state of local emergency. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the board to declare or terminate a state of local emergency and take any action authorized by law when sitting in regular or special session.

(b)

A proclamation declaring a state of local emergency shall activate the disaster emergency plans applicable to the county and shall be the authority for use or distribution of any supplies, equipment, materials, and facilities assembled or arranged to be made available pursuant to such plans.

(c)

When a quorum of the board is unable to meet, the chairman of the board, or in the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman is hereby designated and empowered as the official authority to declare a state of local emergency whenever the official authority determines that natural or manmade disaster or emergency has occurred or that the occurrence or threat of one is imminent and requires immediate and expeditious action. In the absence of both the chairman, and the vice-chairman, the county manager shall have the power to declare a local state of emergency. In the absence of the county manager, the position identified within the order of succession shall have the authority to declare a local state of emergency.

(Ord. No. 11-16, § 5, 7-11-11)