(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6-11-610 or any other provision of law, the authority is comprised of eleven members, seven of whom shall be resident electors of Beaufort County and four of whom shall be resident electors of Jasper County.

(B) The seven Beaufort County members of the authority shall be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of a majority of the Legislative Delegation of Beaufort County. Of the Beaufort County members, the respective governing bodies of the City of Beaufort, the Town of Bluffton, and the Town of Port Royal shall each recommend to the Legislative Delegation of Beaufort County one person who may in turn be recommended by the Legislative Delegation of Beaufort County to the Governor for appointment and the Beaufort County Council shall recommend to the Legislative Delegation of Beaufort County three persons who may in turn be recommended by the Legislative Delegation of Beaufort County to the Governor for appointment. One person shall be recommended by the Legislative Delegation of Beaufort County to the Governor for appointment without recommendation by any other entity.

(C) The four Jasper County members of the authority shall be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of a majority of the Legislative Delegation of Jasper County. Of the Jasper County members, the respective governing bodies of the Town of Ridgeland and the City of Hardeeville shall each recommend to the Legislative Delegation of Jasper County one person who may in turn be recommended by the Legislative Delegation of Jasper County to the Governor for appointment.

(D) The terms of office for all members and their successors of the authority shall be for six years. All members of the authority shall hold office until their successors have been appointed and qualify. Any vacancy occurring for any reason among the members of the authority shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by the same procedure for appointment. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6-11-610, the seating of additional members of the authority shall not affect the terms of other members serving upon the effective date of this section.

(E) The members of the authority may fix or change the compensation or other benefits, including insurance benefits and per diem for the members of the authority. Reimbursable expenses actually incurred while on official business must not exceed the amounts authorized for members of state boards, committees, and commissions, and insurance benefits must not exceed those provided for state employees.

HISTORY: 2009 Act No. 55, Section 1, eff June 2, 2009.