80-2506. Hospital districts in adjoining political subdivisions; increase in membership of board; procedure; petition; election; terms of new members; vacancies. (a) Every hospital shall be governed by a board composed of members who are qualified electors. The board shall be composed of three, five, seven or nine members. Whenever the number of members of a board is increased, the expiration of the terms of the members selected for the new positions on the board shall be fixed to coincide with the expiration of the terms of the members serving on the board at the time of the creation of the new positions so that not more than a simple majority of the members of the board is selected at the same time.

(b) Upon presentation to the board of commissioners of the county in which the hospital district, or the greater portion of the territory thereof, is located, of a petition requesting a change in the number of board members signed by not less than 5% of the qualified electors of the district, it shall be the duty of the board of county commissioners, at its next regular meeting, to examine the petition. The petition shall set forth the requested number of board members. If the board of county commissioners finds that the petition is sufficient and regular and in due form as is provided in this section, the board of county commissioners shall direct the county election officer of the county to prepare ballots for a special election, including ballots for that portion of the district located in any other county. The county election officers of each county shall present the question to the qualified voters of the district at the next general election in the counties, and the board of county commissioners of each county shall certify the results of the votes cast in the county to the board of county canvassers in the county in which the ballots were prepared. The change in number shall become effective at the next election for board members if a majority of the qualified electors voting on the question vote in favor of the change in number of board members.

(c) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of K.S.A. 80-2508, and amendments thereto, members of the board of every existing hospital shall serve as members of such board for the terms for which they were selected and until their successors are selected and qualified. Except as provided by subsection (a)(4) of K.S.A. 80-2508, and amendments thereto, successors to such members shall be selected to serve for a term of three years.

(d) Terms of members of the first board of any hospital established under the provisions of this act shall be as provided for in subsection (b) of K.S.A. 80-2504, and amendments thereto, and shall be staggered so that terms of not more than a simple majority of the members expire at the same time. Thereafter, except as provided by subsection (a)(4) of K.S.A. 80-2508, and amendments thereto, upon the expiration of terms of members first selected, successors to such members shall be selected to serve for terms of three years.

(e) Vacancies in the membership of a board occasioned by death, removal, resignation or any reason other than expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the chairperson of the board with the advice and consent of the remaining members of the board.

History: L. 1984, ch. 374, § 6; L. 1987, ch. 397, § 1; July 1.