35-1-616. Community boards; membership; appointment; terms of office; removal; vacancies; compensation.

(a) A community or joint board shall consist of not more than nine (9) members, unless the board is comprised of members from two (2) or more counties in which event the board shall consist of not more than fifteen (15) members.

(b) The members of a community board shall be appointed by the county commissioners. When two (2) or more counties have agreed to establish a community board, the county commissioners of each participating county shall appoint members as provided in the agreement of the counties. The members appointed by each county shall represent their county on the community board.

(c) Members of community boards shall serve for rotating terms of four (4) years. Of the members first appointed, one-third (1/3) shall be appointed for two (2) years, one-third (1/3) for three (3) years and one-third (1/3) for four (4) years. No member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.

(d) A member of a community board may be removed by the appointing authority for neglect of duty, misconduct or malfeasance in office after receiving a written statement of charges and an opportunity to be heard.

(e) Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms in the same manner as original appointments.

(f) The members of a community board may receive per diem compensation and may be allowed necessary and actual expenses to be audited and paid in the same manner as other expenses of the county.