A.  The corporate powers and authorities herein granted shall vest in and be exercised by the commission, a body composed of five members who shall be appointed by the governor from nominees submitted to him in the following manner by the nominating bodies hereinafter designated:

(1)  One member shall be appointed from a list of three names nominated by the governing body of the city of Natchitoches.

(2)  One member shall be appointed from a list of three names nominated by the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury.

(3)  One member shall be appointed from a list of three names nominated by the Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District.

(4)  One member shall be appointed from a list of three names nominated by the Soil and Water Conservation District authority.

(5) One member shall be appointed by the governor to serve at large. This member shall be a resident of Natchitoches Parish.

B.  Each person who is nominated shall be a resident of Natchitoches Parish and shall own real property which is situated in and subject to ad valorem taxes hereinafter authorized by this Chapter.  All nominations made by the aforesaid nominating bodies shall be in writing and sent by registered mail to the governor under the signature of the chief executive officer or secretary of the respective nominating body.  Each appointment by the governor shall be submitted to the Senate for confirmation.

C.  Within thirty days prior to the expiration of the term of office of any member or within thirty days after occurrence of a vacancy prior to the expiration of the term of office of any member, the aforesaid respective nominating bodies so entitled shall, in the parish where appropriate, designate a nominee for the new term or to fill the vacancy.  Such nominations shall be made on the same basis, in the same manner and in accordance with the same procedures required for nominations for initial membership of the commission.  From the list or panel of names submitted, the governor shall appoint the parish member for the new term or to fill the vacancy as soon as possible after the names of the nominees of the respective nominating bodies have been received by him, subject to the requirements heretofore specified for such membership.

D.  If any one or more of the nominating bodies referred to above shall cease to exist or function without any legal successor, the governor shall have the right to make his appointment from names submitted by the nominating bodies which are in existence at the time.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 391, §1.  Amended by Acts 1993, No. 728, §1; Acts 2003, No. 774, §9.