Cal. Gov't Code § 56329
If there is no city in the county, the commission shall consist of five members, appointed as follows which may be further augmented pursuant to Sections 56332 and 56332.5:
(a) Three appointed by the board of supervisors from their own membership. The board of supervisors shall appoint a fourth supervisor who is an alternate member of the commission. The alternate member may serve and vote in place of any supervisor on the commission who is absent or who disqualifies himself or herself from participating in a meeting of the commission.
If the office of a regular county member becomes vacant, the alternate member may serve and vote in place of the former regular county member until the appointment and qualification of a regular county member to fill the vacancy.