(a) Pursuant to Amendment 678 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, there is created and established the Chambers County Industrial Development Council on September 1, 2001. Initially, the council shall consist of the current members of the Industrial Development Authority of Chambers County. As the terms of the members of the authority expire, their successors shall be appointed to the new council as follows:

(1) The county commissioners from Commission Districts 1, 2, and 3 shall each appoint one member for initial terms of one year each.

(2) The county commissioners from Commission Districts 4, 5, and 6 shall each appoint one member for initial terms of two years each.

(3) The governing body of each incorporated municipality in the county shall appoint one member for an initial term of three years.

(4) A consensus of the state legislative delegation for the county shall appoint two members for initial terms of four years.

When the appointments have been made, the council shall be composed of 11 members who are residents and qualified electors of the county.

Thereafter, successor members shall likewise be appointed for terms of four years. The council shall hold an organizational meeting called by the present chair of the Industrial Development Authority of Chambers County no later than 10 days after August 1, 2001, at which the council shall elect a chair and vice chair by majority vote of the members present and voting at the meeting. Thereafter, it shall meet at least quarterly on the call of the chair or upon a petition signed by at least two-thirds of the members of the council and filed with the chair of the council stating a need for a special meeting. Members of the council shall serve without compensation, but they shall be entitled to reimbursement from funds of the council for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their actual duties.

(b)(1) The council may select a formal name for the council. The council shall have the authority to negotiate for the county on all industrial and economic development matters. The council shall formulate and implement plans to promote and foster the industrial development and economic growth of all areas of Chambers County and any incorporated municipalities located within the county. The council shall be entitled to all of the powers, rights, privileges, exemptions, immunities, and authority provided by the general laws of Alabama to local industrial development authorities, including, but not limited to, abatement of taxes, issuance of bonds, acquisition, enlargement, improvement, replacement, ownership, leasing, selling, or disposing of properties to the end that the council may be able to promote the creation of jobs and develop commerce and trade within the county and the state.

(2) The headquarters office of the council shall be located in Chambers County. At the first board meeting in January of each year, the board of directors, by a majority vote, shall elect a chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer who shall hold office until their successors have likewise been elected. The council may adopt bylaws to regulate and administer the day-to-day business of the Chambers County Industrial Development Council.

(3) The council may employ such personnel as it deems necessary to carry out its duties and purposes. Personnel employed by the council may participate in the Employees' Retirement System of Alabama like other employees of the county and may purchase prior service credit in the Employees' Retirement System for service rendered to the Industrial Development Authority of Chambers County under the applicable laws, rules, and regulations of the Employees' Retirement System.

(c) The council, as herein provided, may be financially supported, from time to time, by revenues from whatever source derived as appropriated to the council by a municipal governing body, the county commission, or the Legislature.