12-342. Same; consolidation study commission, appointment; executive director. (a) If a majority of the electors voting at the election vote in favor of the question submitted pursuant to K.S.A. 12-341, or if there is no presidential preference primary held in 1996, the governor shall appoint a five-member consolidation study commission. Such appointments shall be made by May 15, 1996. No more than three members of the commission shall be from the same political party. Members of the commission shall include, but not be limited to, persons with experience in accounting, business management, municipal finance, law, education, political science or public administration. No elected official of the cities of Bonner Springs, Edwardsville, Lake Quivira or Kansas City or Wyandotte county, nor any person appointed to fill a vacancy in an elected office of such cities or county, shall serve on the commission. No full-time paid employee of the cities of Bonner Springs, Edwardsville, Lake Quivira or Kansas City or Wyandotte county shall serve on the commission. Members of the commission shall be residents of Wyandotte county.

(b) Members of the commission shall be paid compensation, subsistence allowances, mileage and other expenses as provided by K.S.A. 75-3223, and amendments thereto.

(c) The governor shall appoint an executive director of the commission. The executive director shall receive compensation established by the governor, within the limits of appropriations for that purpose. The executive director shall employ other staff and may contract with consultants, as the executive director deems necessary to carry out the functions of the commission. Staff employed by the executive director shall receive compensation established by the executive director and approved by the governor, within the limits of appropriations for that purpose.

(d) Within 30 days following the appointment of all members of the commission, the commission shall meet and organize by the election of a chairperson and vice-chairperson and other officers deemed necessary. The commission may adopt rules governing the conduct of its meetings.

History: L. 1996, ch. 11, § 3; Feb. 29.