§140.112. Board of commissioners; members, officers, agents and employees

A. In order to provide for the orderly development of the district and effectuation of the purposes of the district, the district shall be administered and governed by a board of five commissioners, each of whom shall be a qualified voter of the district and who shall be appointed as follows:

(1) Two members shall be appointed by the governing authority of the parish of Vermilion. At least one of such members shall have a bachelor's degree in agricultural science.

(2) Two members shall be appointed by the governing authority of the parish of Iberia. At least one of such members shall have a bachelor's degree in agricultural science.

(3) One member shall be appointed by the Twin Parish Port Commission and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, subject to confirmation by the senators whose districts encompass the parishes of Vermilion and Iberia. Such member shall have a bachelor's degree in engineering and shall have a minimum of five years experience at the management and operational level of a railroad company.

B.(1) Members of the board shall serve three-year terms after initial terms as provided in this Paragraph. One such member shall serve an initial term of one year; two members shall serve an initial term of two years; and two members shall serve an initial term of three years, all as determined by lot at the first meeting of the board. Members shall serve until their successors have been appointed and qualified.

(2) Any vacancy which occurs prior to the expiration of the term for which a member of the board has been appointed shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

C. The commissioners shall elect from their membership a chairman, vice chairman, secretary-treasurer, and such other officers as they may deem necessary. The board shall hold at least one regular meeting each month for the purpose of transacting business of the district.

D. Board members shall serve without compensation. However, the board may authorize per diem for its members in the performance of their official duties. The per diem shall not exceed one hundred dollars for attending meetings of the board for a maximum of twelve meetings per year. Per diem paid pursuant to this Subsection shall be paid out of district funds in the hands of the treasurer.

E. A majority of the membership of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

F. The board of commissioners shall prescribe rules to govern its meetings, shall hold meetings in the city and parish as may be designated by the board within either Vermilion or Iberia parishes, may contract with and employ attorneys, clerks, engineers, deputy commissioners, superintendents, and other agents and employees, and shall fix their compensation and terms of employment.

G. A board member or employee of a district may not have a pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in any contract or agreement to which the district is a party.

Acts 2010, No. 780, §1.