At the time of the issuance of any bonds pursuant to the Hospital Equipment Loan Act, each member of the board shall execute a surety bond in the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). To the extent any member of the board is already required by state law to provide a surety bond, that member need not obtain another bond as long as the bond required by state law is in at least the sum specified in this section and covers the member’s activities for the council. In lieu of such bonds, the chairman of the board may execute a blanket fidelity bond covering each member and the employees of the council. Each fidelity bond shall be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the respective office of the member or the employee and shall be issued by a surety company authorized to transact business in this state as surety. At all times after the issuance of any surety bonds, each member and employee shall maintain such surety bonds in full force and effect. All costs of the surety bonds shall be borne by the council.