(1) The governing body of a district shall be a district board consisting of five or seven members elected from the district at large. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the term of district board member is four years. Candidates for the first district board shall be nominated as provided in ORS § 255.235 and elected as provided in ORS § 198.705 to 198.955 and 838.010.

(2) Not later than the 40th day after the first board members are elected, the district board members shall meet and organize as a board, first making and subscribing to an oath of office. Notwithstanding the term of office specified in subsection (1) of this section, the term of each board member shall be determined by lot at the first meeting of the board as follows:

(a) Of the members first elected to a seven-member board:

(A) The terms of four members shall expire June 30 next following the first regular district election; and

(B) The terms of three members shall expire June 30 next following the second regular district election.

(b) Of the members first elected to a five-member board:

(A) The terms of three members shall expire June 30 next following the first regular district election; and

(B) The terms of two members shall expire June 30 next following the second regular district election.

(3) The chairperson of the county governing body that calls the election on establishing the district shall convene the first meeting of the district board and shall serve as chairperson of the first meeting until the members choose a permanent chairperson. [Formerly 494.040]