§ 16-111. Administration.

(a)

Board of trustees. The board of trustees shall administer and control the operation of this pension plan in accordance with the provisions of this pension plan, the declaration of trust, this article, and other Florida law. The trustees may, from time to time, establish rules for the interpretation, application and administration of the pension plan. In making any such determination or rule, the trustees shall pursue uniform policies and shall not unreasonably discriminate in favor of or against, any person or group of persons.

(b)

Claim for benefits.

(1)

Advance claim required. In order to receive a benefit under this pension plan, a claim for benefits must be submitted, in writing, and shall be made on duly prescribed forms containing the information required in this section. A claim for benefits must be filed before any benefits are payable.

(2)

Information required. All participants and beneficiaries shall furnish such information, as the board of trustees considers necessary or desirable for the purposes of administering the pension plan. This shall include the expected date of retirement of the participant, the marital status and proof of date of marriage of the participant, proof of age of the participant and any designated beneficiaries, and date and proof of death if a claim is filed for a survivor annuity or a death benefit. If proof of age is not submitted as required, other information may be used as the board of trustees deem reliable. Any adjustment required by reason of lack of proof, or misstatement of age, shall be made in such a manner, as the trustees deem equitable.

Benefits provided under this pension plan are conditioned upon the furnishing of such true and complete information as may be needed. The trustees and any other persons involved in the administration of the pension plan shall be entitled to rely upon any certification, statement or representation made by a participant or beneficiary with respect to age, marital status, death of the participant, or other facts required to be determined under any of the provisions of the pension plan, and the trustees shall not be liable on account of the payment of any monies or the commission of any act or failure to act, in reliance thereon.

(c)

Multiple claims prohibited. once a claim for pension benefits has been approved by the board of trustees, no further claims for a pension benefit shall be permitted.

(d)

Notification of mailing address.

(1)

All participants and beneficiaries shall file with the trustees, from time to time, in writing, their mailing address and each change of address. Failure to submit such mailing address may result in the payment of benefits being delayed.

(2)

Any check representing payment hereunder, and any communication addressed to a participant, beneficiary or other person, at the last address on the records of the trustees, shall be binding on such persons for all purposes of this pension plan.

(3)

If the trustees are in doubt whether payments are being received by the person entitled thereto, they may notify such person, by certified mail at the last known address, that all payments of benefits shall be withheld until the board of trustees are provided such information as it deems necessary.

(e)

Benefits payable to minors and incompetents.

(1)

Whenever any person entitled to payments under this pension plan shall be a minor, under a legal disability, or, in the sole judgment of the trustees, be otherwise unable to care for their affairs in their own best interest and advantage (whether because of illness, accident, incapacity or other mental or physical condition), the trustees may direct that all or any portion of such payments be made in any of the following ways (unless a claim has been made by a legal guardian, tutor, conservator, committee or other duly appointed legal representative, in which event payment shall be made to such representative):

a.

to the spouse, child, parent, or other blood relative, to be expended on behalf of the person (or on behalf of those dependents as to whom the person has the duty to support); or

b.

to a recognized charity or governmental institution to be expended for the benefit of the beneficiary (or for the benefit of those dependents as to whom the person has the duty to support); or

c.

to such other persons, organizations or institutions as the trustees deem appropriate to provide for the care and benefit of the person (or for the benefit of those dependents as to whom the person has the duty to support).

(2)

The decision of the trustees shall be final and binding upon all persons. After such decision, the trustees shall not be obliged to see to the proper application or expenditures of any payments so made.

(Ord. No. 1222, § 1, 11-18-1999)