(a) There is hereby created the Merit System Board of Marion County, Alabama, which shall become effective on March 11, 1980, and shall be composed of three members:
(1) One member shall be appointed by the Marion County Commission.
(2) One member shall be appointed by Marion County Lodge Number 32 of the Fraternal Order of Police.
(3) One member shall be appointed jointly by the municipalities of Marion County.
(b) Original appointees shall serve for terms of one, two, and four years, assignment of terms to be determined by drawing lots. Thereafter, all appointees shall serve for a period of four years. No person shall be appointed to the board unless he or she is a resident and qualified elector of Marion County and over the age of 21 years.
(c) Members of the board shall take the constitutional oath of office, which shall be filed in the office of the judge of probate. Vacancies on the board shall be filled for the unexpired term of the vacant position in the same manner as original appointments. The members of the board shall elect a chair and secretary from among their members. Any member of the board who becomes a candidate for, or is elected or appointed to another public office of profit, shall vacate his or her office as a member of the board. No board member shall be an elected official, appointed employee, or employee of the county or any municipal government.