12-351. Same; consolidation study commission, appointment; executive director. (a) Within 10 days of the effective date of this act, a consolidation commission shall be appointed. Each of the following officers shall appoint a member to the commission: The governor, the president and minority leader of the senate and the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives. The person appointed by the governor shall serve as the chairperson of the commission. 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 or appointive official of the cities of Auburn, Rossville, Silver Lake, Topeka or Willard or Shawnee county, nor any person appointed to fill a vacancy in an elected office of such cities or county, shall serve on the commission. No paid employee of the cities of Auburn, Rossville, Silver Lake, Topeka or Willard or Shawnee county shall serve on the commission. Members of the commission shall be residents of Shawnee 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 members of the consolidation commission shall appoint an executive director of the commission. The executive director shall receive compensation established by the commission. 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.

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

History: L. 2005, ch. 166, § 2; Apr. 21.