(a) For the purpose of promoting industry and trade and to assist the county commission in DeKalb County in their pursuits therefor, there is created an Industrial Development Authority for DeKalb County which shall be composed of 19 members. All members of the authority shall be residents and qualified electors of DeKalb County. The mayor and council from each of the following municipalities shall appoint one member from such municipality: Fort Payne, Valley Head, Mentone, Hammondville, Ider, Henager, Sylvania, Rainsville, Powell, Shiloh, Fyffe, Geraldine, Crossville, and Collinsville. Provided however that none of the aforementioned appointees shall be an elected official of the municipality. Each of the four county commissioners shall appoint one member from outside the above-named municipalities.

(b) The chair of the county commission shall serve as a member. All members of the authority shall serve for terms of four years. Successors to members of the authority shall be appointed in the same manner as the original members are appointed and all members shall serve until their successors are so appointed. Vacancies on the board shall be filled by the appointing authority making the original appointment, but any person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired portion of the term. In the event that any original position on the authority has not been filled, as herein provided for within 30 days after July 18, 1979, then, the county commission shall have the right to appoint a qualified resident citizen of the appropriate community to fill the position.