A.  A board of commissioners, hereinafter referred to as the board, is hereby created, which shall be the governing authority of said district.  It shall consist of seven members who shall be citizens of the United States and qualified voters within the limits of said district during their term of office.  The commissioners shall be appointed from among all the qualified voters of said district as follows:

(1)  One shall be appointed by the mayor and aldermen of the village of Mermentau.  

(2)  One shall be appointed by the mayor and aldermen of the village of Estherwood.  

(3)  One shall be appointed by the mayor and aldermen of the village of Morse; and

(4)  Four shall be appointed by the Acadia Parish Police Jury.  

B.  Two of the commissioners initially appointed by the Acadia Parish Police Jury shall be appointed for a term of one year.  The Acadia Parish Police Jury shall, at the time of the appointments, designate which members shall serve initially for one year.  The commissioner initially appointed by the mayor and aldermen of the village of Morse shall be appointed for a period of two years.  The commissioner initially appointed by the mayor and aldermen of the village of Estherwood shall be appointed for a period of three years.  Two of the commissioners initially appointed by the Acadia Parish Police Jury shall be appointed for a period of four years.  The Acadia Parish Police Jury shall, at the time of the appointments, designate which members shall serve initially for four years.  The commissioners initially appointed by the mayor and aldermen of the village of Mermentau shall be appointed for a period of five years.  Thereafter, the successors to each of such commissioners shall be appointed for terms of five years, and each successor shall be appointed by the same authority that appointed his predecessor.  

C.  Any vacancy occurring during a term shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term by the authority that made the original appointment.  

D.  The commissioners shall serve without compensation and shall have the power to organize and reorganize legal, executive, engineering, clerical and other departments and forces of said board and to fix the duties, powers and compensation of all officers, agents and employees under said board.  

Added by Acts 1976, No. 196, §1.