(a) The term of office of the directors, except those first elected, shall be four years. The expiration of the term of any director does not constitute a vacancy, and the director shall hold office until his or her successor has qualified.

(b) (1) As an alternative to the election of directors, the board of directors may, by a resolution presented to the board of supervisors of the principal county, request the board of supervisors to appoint directors, except those first elected. In any election year, the board of directors shall file its request with the board of supervisors not later than 125 days prior to the election. A copy of the resolution shall be furnished to the official responsible for conducting the election at the time it is presented to the board of supervisors of the principal county. The board of supervisors shall appoint directors, after consultation with the board of supervisors of any other county which contains any part of the district, from those candidates who have filed an application with the board of supervisors, as prescribed by the board of supervisors. If the directors are to be appointed, a notice of election shall not be published, but a notice of vacancy shall be posted pursuant to Section 54974 of the Government Code.

(2) The resolution shall remain in effect until rescinded by the board of directors, or until a petition requesting the rescission is received by the elections official. The petition shall be signed by 5 percent of the registered voters in the district, and shall be received not later than the 120th day before the election. Upon verification by the elections official that the petition contains the requisite number of signatures, the resolution shall be rescinded.

(3) The appointment of directors by the board of supervisors does not affect the status of a district as an independent special district.

(4) If the board of supervisors does not conduct interviews of potential candidates or make an appointment within 60 days after the expiration of the term, the board of directors may make the appointment.

(c) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage districts to opt for the selection of directors by election, but where directors are appointed pursuant to subdivision (b), it is the intent of the Legislature that the board of supervisors solicit recommendations from within the district, including public, private, and nonprofit entities, and appoint only applicants who are determined by the board of supervisors to have a demonstrated interest in soil and water conservation. In selecting directors pursuant to subdivision (b), the board of supervisors shall endeavor to achieve balanced representation on the board of directors. To avoid undue financial burdens to districts and to thereby promote the objectives of this division, the Legislature hereby encourages counties to waive or minimize the charges for costs of elections conducted pursuant to this division.

(Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 939, Sec. 19. Effective September 28, 1994. Operative January 1, 1995, by Sec. 29 of Ch. 939.)