§4572. Board of commissioners; appointment and tenure; organization; secretary-treasurer; compensation

A. Any special district created under the provisions of R.S. 33:4571 shall be governed by a board of commissioners who shall be qualified voters and residents of the area contained in the district. The members of the board shall be appointed as follows:

(1) In special districts created by the governing authority of a single parish with a population of less than four hundred seventy-five thousand, the board of commissioners shall be composed of five members appointed as follows:

(a) One member, who shall be appointed by the governing authority of the parish creating the district.

(b) One member, who shall be appointed collectively by the chief executives of the municipalities contained in the district.

(c) Three members, who shall be appointed by a majority vote of the legislative delegation representing the representative or senatorial district or districts in which the special district is located, the senators and representatives having equal votes.

(2) In special districts created by the governing authority of a single parish with a population of over four hundred seventy-five thousand the board of commissioners shall be composed of five members, appointed as may be determined by such governing authority.

(3)(a) In any special district created by the governing authorities of more than one parish under the provisions of R.S. 33:4571, the board of commissioners shall be composed of five members to be appointed by the governing authority of each parish, which parish or portion thereof comprises such special district, such members to be appointed by each governing authority in accordance with Paragraph (1) or (2), whichever is applicable, of this Subsection.

(b) If any parish shall create a special district comprised solely of all or part of such single parish, and shall subsequently enter into agreement with another parish or parishes to form a multiparish special district in accordance with R.S. 33:4571, the members serving as the members of the board of commissioners for the single parish special district shall become the members of the board of commissioners to the new multiparish special district from that parish.

(c) The commissioners initially appointed shall be appointed for terms of one, two, three, four, and five years, the length of the term for each individual appointed to be determined by lot. They shall serve until their successors have been appointed and qualified. The commissioners thereafter appointed at the expiration of the respective terms of the initial appointees shall be appointed in the manner of the original appointments for terms of five years. Any vacancy which otherwise occurs shall be filled by appointment in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired term.

B. At its first meeting, the board of commissioners shall elect from its membership a chairman and a vice-chairman. Special meetings may be held at such time and place as specified by the call of the chairman of the board or by resolution of the board of commissioners. The board of commissioners shall also select one person as secretary-treasurer who shall not be a member of the board but shall be a qualified voter and resident of the district. He shall furnish such bond as may be required by the board of commissioners. The premium on the bond shall be paid out of funds of the district. The secretary-treasurer shall receive such salary and office expense allowance, if any, as shall be fixed and determined by the board of commissioners. He shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The members of the board of commissioners shall each receive a per diem not to exceed fifty dollars for each meeting they attend, but shall not be paid for more than twelve meetings in each year. Such per diem shall be set by the local governing authority and paid out of the funds of the district.

Added by Acts 1970, No. 605, §1; Acts 1972, No. 110, §1; Amended by Acts 1981, No. 397, §1; Acts 1982, No. 133, §1; Acts 1991, No. 289, §10.