48-4803. Initial board of directors; qualification and organization

A. The governor shall appoint the initial board of directors, consisting of seven members, as follows:

1. One member from a list of nominees submitted by the board of supervisors of the most populous county in the active management area.

2. One member from a list of nominees submitted by the mayor with the approval of the city council of the most populous city in the active management area.

3. One member from a list of nominees submitted jointly by:

(a) The mayor with the approval of the city council of the most populous incorporated city or town in the active management area that is located in a county other than the most populous county.

(b) The board of supervisors of the county in which the city or town referred to in subdivision (a) is located.

4. One member from a list of nominees submitted by public or private agricultural interests representing owners or lessees of two thousand or more acres of land having irrigation grandfathered rights in the active management area.

5. Three members from lists of nominees submitted by the active management area groundwater users advisory council for each of the following areas of interest:

(a) One member to represent mining interests, from a list of nominees that may be submitted to the council by mining companies in the active management area.

(b) One member to represent water companies in the active management area that serve more than two thousand service connections, from a list of nominees that may be submitted to the council by such water companies.

(c) One private citizen who resides in the active management area and who has no direct connection to or employment by any of the entity categories represented on the initial board.

B. No member of the active management area groundwater users advisory council may serve on the initial board.

C. Within thirty days after appointment each member of the initial board shall qualify for office by taking and subscribing the official oath.

D. If a vacancy occurs on the initial board, it shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. A member so appointed shall qualify within thirty days after receiving notice of his appointment in the same manner as prescribed by this section and shall hold office as provided for other members of the initial board.

E. The initial board shall conduct its organization meeting within thirty days after the appointment of its final member pursuant to subsection A. The initial board shall immediately enter upon its duties and shall select a chairman, vice-chairman and secretary-treasurer from among the members who shall hold office at the pleasure of the initial board.

F. Initial members are not eligible for compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses while engaged in official business under order of the initial board.