§ 19-147. Board of commissioners.

(a)

The gravity drainage district created in this division shall be governed and controlled by five commissioners, who shall be the governing authority of the district. These commissioners or their wives must be assessed with real estate in the district to the value of $500.00, or they must be the representatives of some corporation owning lands in the district to the value of $500.00. The representative of a corporation may be an officer of the corporation, or may be some person not connected with the corporation as officer or stockholder, but is designated to represent the corporation by a resolution of the board of directors to that effect. Persons possessing the qualifications, or persons thus designated to represent a corporation, may be drainage commissioners, whether they are residents or nonresidents. A drainage commissioner may hold the position of drainage commissioner in two or more drainage districts and may hold these positions in addition to any other office that may be held by him, and the holding of position as drainage commissioner shall not be considered in contemplation of law as dual office holding.

(b)

The parish council shall appoint the five commissioners for the district herein created. All selections or appointments shall be for terms of four years. The appointment of commissioners by the council shall be made upon the petition or recommendation of a majority in number of acres or a majority of the resident landowners in the district, provided the district contains 40 or less landowners. If more than 40 landowners are embraced in the district, the appointment shall be made upon the recommendation of 25 of the landowners of the district. Where there is a contest of the appointment of commissioners, the council shall give the appointment to those commissioners who are recommended by the landowners owning the greatest number of acres of land in the district. In the absence of any petition or recommendation, the council may appoint commissioners in its discretion.

(c)

The board of commissioners, at the first meeting, shall proceed to organize by electing officers. It shall elect from among its members a president and a vice-president. It shall elect a treasurer who shall serve also as a secretary. The secretary-treasurer shall maintain an office at the parish seat. The treasurer shall furnish bond for amounts and in the manner now provided by law. The board shall also elect one of the solvent chartered banks situated within the parish, or within the district, in which all funds shall be deposited.

(d)

The commissioners of the drainage district appointed hereunder shall hold at least one meeting in every year. They shall meet at stated times which they shall fix and determine by resolution. No expenses shall be incurred by the commissioners until and unless funds become lawfully available for such purpose in the hands of the treasurer, belonging to the district. When funds are available, the board of commissioners may be paid a per diem in an amount authorized by law. Except as provided in the foregoing subsection, nothing herein contained shall be construed as limiting or restricting the general powers of the district or the board of commissioners as is authorized by the constitution and general laws of the state now or hereafter in effect.

(Code 1975, § 24:101C, D, H, L)