(a)

(1) The board shall annually choose from among its members a chairman and a secretary-treasurer.

(2) The chairman and secretary-treasurer shall furnish bonds conditioned upon faithful performance of their duties in the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) each. The cost of securing and maintaining the bonds shall be paid from funds of the district.

(b)

(1) The board shall employ a director who shall have such training, experience, and qualifications as may be prescribed by the Cooperative Extension Service, and an entomologist associated with the University of Arkansas system. The board may employ such other employees as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of the district.

(2) Employees of the board shall have such responsibilities and receive such compensation as may be prescribed by the board.

(c) The county in which any district is located shall cooperate with and assist the board by providing suitable office space and meeting facilities for the board and its staff.

(d) The board shall meet at least quarterly and at such other times as it may deem necessary to properly carry out its responsibilities.

(1) Meetings shall be called by the chairman or a majority of the members of the board.

(2) Three (3) members of the board shall constitute a quorum and any substantive action of the board shall require an affirmative vote of at least three (3) members of the board.

(e) A Cooperative Extension Services specialist involved in fire ant education and/or the county agent chairman shall serve as ex officio members of the board and shall serve without compensation. The Cooperative Extension Services specialist, the county agent or their representatives shall cooperate with and assist the board by furnishing the board with such surveys, maps, information, and advice as may be helpful to the board in carrying out its responsibilities and to assist in such other manner as may be reasonably requested by the board.

(f) The board shall be responsible for approving materials used in the red imported fire ant abatement district and shall be responsible for certifying applicators using those materials.