§130.872. Board of commissioners; members; officers; employees

            A. The district shall be governed by a board of commissioners consisting of nine members selected as follows:

            (1) Three members shall be appointed by the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce.

            (2) Three members shall be appointed by the governing authority of Vernon Parish.

            (3) Three members shall be appointed by the mayor of Leesville.

            B. Any vacancy in the membership of the board of commissioners, occurring either by reason of the expiration of the term for which appointed or by reason of death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be filled by the governing authority of Vernon Parish.

            C. Any member of the board of commissioners may be removed by the governing authority of Vernon Parish, but only for cause and on charges preferred against him in writing and after public hearing; provided that any member so removed shall have the right to appeal his removal to a court of competent jurisdiction within ten days of the decision of the governing authority ordering his removal.

            D. The members of the board of commissioners shall serve without per diem or other compensation. The board of commissioners shall have the power to organize and reorganize executive, clerical, and other departments and to fix the duties and powers and compensation of all officers, agents, and employees of the district. The board of commissioners may reimburse any member for expenses actually incurred in the performance of his duties hereunder.

            E. Commissioners individually, and members of each commissioner's immediate family are prohibited from bidding on or entering into any contract, subcontract, or other transaction that is under the supervision or jurisdiction of the district.

            F. Elected officials are prohibited from serving on the board of commissioners.

            G. The board of commissioners shall elect from among its own members a president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer, whose duties shall be those usual to such offices. At the option of the board of commissioners, the offices of secretary and treasurer may be held by one person.

            H. The board of commissioners shall meet in regular session on a quarterly basis and shall also meet in special session when the president of the board convenes them or on the written request of four members. No more than twelve special sessions may be called within any one calendar year. Five members of the board of commissioners shall constitute a quorum.

            I. The board of commissioners shall prescribe rules to govern its meetings, shall maintain suitable offices in the parish of Vernon, and 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.

            Acts 2020, No. 320, §1, eff. June 12, 2020.