19-3614. Same; governing body; terms; vacancies; removal; expenses. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and K.S.A. 19-3614a, and amendments thereto, within 60 days following the creation of the fire district the board of county commissioners shall appoint the governing body of the fire district. The governing body shall consist of three or five members as determined by the board of county commissioners. Members of the governing body shall have been residents of the district at least three years preceding the date of their appointment. The members of the governing body shall hold office for a term of three years, except that the members of the first governing body appointed shall hold office for terms as follows: (1) In the case of a three-member governing body, one for a term of one year; one for a term of two years; and one for a term of three years; or (2) in the case of a five-member governing body, one for a term of one year; two for a term of two years; two for a term of three years. The board of county commissioners shall designate the term which each is to serve.

(b) The governing body of any fire district appointed prior to the effective date of this act may be expanded to a five-member body upon adoption of an appropriate resolution by the board of county commissioners. The terms of the newly appointed members of the governing body shall be staggered so that not more than two of the five board members are appointed at the same time.

(c) In the case of a vacancy in the membership of such governing body occurring before the expiration of term, the successor shall be appointed in like manner as regular appointments are made and the member so appointed shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. The members of the governing body shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be allowed their actual expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.

(d) Any member of the governing body may be removed by the board of county commissioners for any cause which would justify the removal of an appointive officer of the county.

History: L. 1955, ch. 175, § 2; L. 1975, ch. 52, § 9; L. 1988, ch. 109, § 1; L. 1993, ch. 122, § 1; July 1.