The organization and establishment of the agency shall be as follows:

(1) The county commission of any county or counties lying within the State of Alabama which may elect to come within the provisions of this article shall indicate its desire to participate therein by the adoption of an appropriate resolution declaring the need for the incorporation of a water conservation and irrigation agency, stating its intention to give financial assistance to projects of such agency and stating its desire to become a part thereof.

(2) Membership of the corporation shall consist of title holders to the land irrigated or proposed to be irrigated within the boundaries of the irrigation district or districts to be established, and such member water users shall elect by majority vote a board of directors to be composed of nine members. Members of the board of directors shall be selected from persons residing in and holding title to lands located within the irrigation district or districts or areas proposed for irrigation and who are persons active in municipal, industrial, agricultural, commercial or citizen organizations engaged in promoting comprehensive and unified development of the resources of the State of Alabama as a basis for its general economic growth. Three such members shall be elected for terms of two years, three for terms of four years and three for terms of six years. Thereafter all members shall be elected for terms of six years, but in all events such members shall continue in office until their successors are elected and qualified. Vacancies occurring on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. Board members shall be eligible to succeed themselves.