1. An economic development district may be established by the governing bodies of adjoining counties or the governing bodies of a county or counties and a city not within a county in order to plan, formulate, develop, promote, fund, conduct or cause to be conducted, programs to encourage the economic development of the district. The governing bodies may establish such districts by enactment of identical ordinances or by mutual agreement of the governing bodies.

2. The qualifications, terms and number of members of the economic development board for the district shall be determined by the enacting ordinances or the mutual agreement of the governing bodies, except as provided in this subsection. Each county and each city not within a county shall have equal representation on the board. The chief executive officer of a county or mayor of a city not within a county shall appoint residents of such county or city to be on the board, and such officers shall jointly appoint one additional member to the board. The board shall select a chairman and any other officers it deems necessary to conduct its business, and shall meet at least four times a year at a time and place designated by the chairman in order to make policy and administer the activities of the district.