§130.612. Board of commissioners; members; officers; employees

A.(1) The district shall be governed by a board of commissioners consisting of a minimum of seven and maximum of nine members. All members shall be qualified voters and taxpayers within the limits of the district during their term of office. The members of the board shall be appointed by the mayor of the city of Hammond and approved by a majority vote of the Hammond City Council. Members shall serve three-year terms after initial terms as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection.

(2) Two members shall serve an initial term of one year; three shall serve an initial term of two years; and all others shall serve an initial term of three years as determined by lot conducted at the first meeting of the board.

B. Any vacancy which occurs prior to the expiration of the term for which a member of the board has been appointed shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired term.

C. Members of the board, individually, and members of their immediate family are prohibited from bidding on or entering into any contract, subcontract, or other transaction that is under the supervision or jurisdiction of the district.

D. Elected officials are prohibited from serving on the board of commissioners.

E. The board shall elect from among its membership the following executive officers: a president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer, whose duties shall be those usual to such offices. At the option of the board of commissioners, the offices of secretary and treasurer may be held by one person.

F. The board shall meet in regular session every month and shall also meet in special session as often as the president of the board convenes them or on the written request of four members. A majority of the board of commissioners shall constitute a quorum provided that two of the members present are officers of the board of commissioners.

G. The board of commissioners shall prescribe rules to govern its meetings. The board may contract with and employ attorneys, clerks, engineers, deputy commissioners, a director, an executive director, and other agents and employees and shall fix their compensation and terms of employment.

H. It is the intent of the legislature that the district and the board shall not be considered to be instrumentalities of the state for purposes of Article X, Section 1 of the Constitution of Louisiana.

Acts 2003, No. 1167, §1.