§322.1. Board of commissioners; members; vacancy; compensation; officers, agents, and employees

            A. The governing authority of the district is hereby declared to be a board of commissioners consisting of nine members, who shall be citizens of the United States and qualified voters and taxpayers within the limits of said district during their term of office. The commissioners shall be appointed as follows:

            (1) Two members shall be appointed by the mayor and council of the town of Berwick.

            (2) Two members shall be appointed by the mayor and council of the city of Morgan City.

            (3) Two members shall be appointed by the parish president and council of St. Mary Parish.

            (4) Three members shall be appointed by the governor, one each from a list of three names submitted by each of the appointing authorities listed in Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this Subsection.

            B.(1) The appointing authorities, except the governor, provided for in Subsection A of this Section shall provide notice to the public that there shall be an application and interview process for appointments to the board of commissioners of the district. Interviews may be conducted in executive session, but the final nominations and appointments shall be made in an open meeting. An appointee must receive a majority approval of the appointing authority. All appointments shall be subject to Senate confirmation.

            (2) Each appointing authority required to submit names to the governor for appointment by the governor may use any process it deems advisable to compile the list of names.

            C. The terms of the initial appointees shall be concurrent with the terms of the appointing authority. Thereafter, the terms shall be for seven years.

            D. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Vacancies shall be filled within ninety days of notification to the appointing authority, from the board, of the existence of a vacancy. If the appointing authority does not fill the vacancy within the ninety-day period, the governor shall make the appointment. These appointees shall meet the same qualifications as provided for in Subsection A of this Section.

            E. No board member shall serve more than two consecutive seven-year terms; however, if an initial appointee's term is one year or less he may be reappointed for two seven-year terms. A member who has served two consecutive seven-year terms may apply for appointment to the board, provided four years have elapsed since the end of his last term.

            F. The board shall submit an annual report to each of the appointing authorities no later than June first of each year. The report shall reflect the activities and the financial status of the district.

            G.(1) The board of commissioners shall serve without compensation; however, it may:

            (a) Authorize the payment of a reasonable travel allowance for its members in the performance of their official duties, not to exceed the mileage reimbursement rate used by the Louisiana Legislature.

            (b) Reimburse its members for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties on behalf of the district.

            (2) The board may employ such officers, agents, and employees as it finds necessary in the performance of its duties, and it may prescribe the duties, powers, and compensation of the officers, agents, and employees.

            (3) The board of commissioners may contract for legal, financial, accounting, engineering, consulting, and other professional services necessary or expedient in the conduct of its affairs, and it may utilize the services of other executive departments of the state.

            Acts 2009, No. 48, §1; Acts 2022, No. 376, §1.