(a) There is created the Merit System Board of Conecuh County, appointed by the Conecuh County Commission. The members of the merit system board serving on May 19, 2004, shall serve until the first meeting of the county commission after the general election in 2004. On that date, the board shall be abolished and a new merit system board shall be appointed by the Conecuh County Commission and be composed of five members appointed as follows: One member appointed by the county commission from a list of three nominees by the county road department, one member appointed by the county commission from a list of three nominees by the county employees employed at the county courthouse, and three members appointed by the county commission. The members of the board shall serve terms to expire on the date of the first county commission meeting after the election of the county commission at the General Election in 2008 and every four years thereafter. No person may be appointed to the board unless the person is a resident and elector of Conecuh County and over the age of 21 years.

(b) Members of the board shall take the constitutional oath of office, which shall be filed in the office of the judge of probate. Vacancies on the board shall be filled for the unexpired term of the vacant position in the same manner as original appointments. The county commission shall have power to establish rules and regulations governing the removal of members of the board. The members of the board shall elect a chair and secretary from among their number. Any member of the board who becomes a candidate or is elected or appointed to another public office of profit, vacates his or her office as a member of the board.