(a) There shall be created a civil service board of appeals for the purpose of regulating the tenure of employment of certain deputies in the office of the sheriff. The Lauderdale County Commission shall appoint a civil service board of appeals as it relates to the Sheriff of Lauderdale County, Alabama, and the Sheriff’s Department of Lauderdale County, Alabama. The civil service board shall be composed of five individuals appointed by the Lauderdale County Commission. The county commission shall attempt to appoint those persons who are highly respected for their fairness, honesty, and general good character. Initially, two members shall be appointed for a three-year term, two members for a two-year term, and one member for a one-year term. Thereafter, all terms shall be for a period of three years.

(b) No person shall be eligible to appointment who holds any civil office of profit under the federal, state, county, or city government, or is a candidate for such office. All appointed members shall be bona fide residents and qualified electors of the county, and shall be persons of recognized character and ability. Vacancies on the board shall be filled for unexpired terms in the same manner as original appointments. Appointed members of the board shall be entitled to receive ten dollars ($10) for each day actually served in transacting the business of the board, but no member shall in any case receive more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) in any one year, sums shall be paid out of the general fund of the county.