1. (a) The Cleburne County Economic Development Authority is established to negotiate for the county on all industrial and economic development matters in the county. The board of directors of the authority shall consist of the following members, all of whom must be residents and qualified electors of the county:

   1. (1) Two members serving an initial term of two years, one of whom is appointed by the county commissioner representing District 4 and one of whom is appointed by the county commissioner representing District 2.
   2. (2) Two members serving an initial term of four years, one of whom is appointed by the county commissioner representing District 1 and one of whom is appointed by the county commissioner representing District 3.
   3. (3) One member serving an initial term of six years appointed by the chair of the county commission.
2. (b) Following initial terms, all members shall serve four-year terms that shall commence on January 1. Any vacancy on the board shall be filled by the respective appointing authority for the remainder of the member’s term.
3. (c) Members of the board shall serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement from funds of the authority for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their actual duties.
4. (d) No later than November 1, 2026, the board shall hold an organizational meeting at which time the board shall elect a chair and vice chair by majority vote of the members present and voting at the meeting. Thereafter, the board of directors shall meet at least quarterly and at any other time if two-thirds of the members of the board submit a request to the chair of the board stating a need for a special meeting.
5. (e) At the first board meeting in January of each year, the board of directors, by a majority vote, shall elect a chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer who shall hold office until their successors have been elected.

(Act 2026-154, §1.)