§ 33:9103 — Board of commissioners; membership; qualifications and terms; powers; parish

Louisiana § 33:9103

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 33: Municipalities and Parishes

Text

§9103. Board of commissioners; membership; qualifications and terms; powers; parish
governing authority as district governing authority
A.(1)(a) When any district is created wholly within a single parish, the parish
governing authority creating it may appoint a board of commissioners composed of seven
members to govern its affairs and shall fix the domicile of the board at any point within the
parish. The members of the board shall be qualified electors of the district, two of whom
shall be appointed for terms of two years, three for terms of three years, and two for terms
of four years, dating from the date of the adoption of the ordinance creating the district.
Thereafter, all appointments of the members shall be for terms of four years.
(b) When a communications district is composed of any part or all of two or more
parishes, the board of commissioners shall be appointed by the parish governing authorities,
with four members to be appointed by each governing authority. Of the initial members
appointed by each parish governing authority, one shall be appointed for a term of two years,
one shall be appointed for a term of three years, and two shall be appointed for a term of four
years, dating from the date of the adoption of the ordinance creating the district. Thereafter,
all appointments shall be for terms of four years. The members of the board of
commissioners shall be qualified electors of the district. The commission may fix its
domicile at any point within one of the parishes.
(2) However, the governing authority of the parish of Natchitoches and of the parish
of Rapides may appoint two additional members to the board of commissioners of the district
created by it, each to serve a term of four years.
(3) However, the governing authority of the parish of Evangeline may appoint two
additional members to the board of commissioners for the Evangeline Parish
Communications District. The board of commissioners shall serve without compensation.
(4) However, the governing authority of the parish of Ouachita may appoint two
additional members to the board of commissioners of the Ouachita Parish Communications
District. The board of commissioners shall serve without compensation.
(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Lincoln Parish
Communications District shall be governed by a board of commissioners composed of nine
members. The two members added to the board by this Paragraph shall be appointed by the
governing authority of Lincoln Parish and shall serve initial terms of four years each, and
their successors shall serve four-year terms.
(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the East Baton Rouge
Parish Communications District shall be governed by a board of commissioners composed
of nine members. The two members added to the board by this Paragraph shall be appointed
by the governing authority of East Baton Rouge Parish and shall serve initial terms of four
years each, and their successors shall serve four-year terms. Any member of the board may
appoint a designee in the event that the member cannot attend a meeting.
B. The commission shall have complete and sole authority to appoint a chairman and
any other officers it may deem necessary from among the membership of the commission.
C. A majority of the commission membership shall constitute a quorum and all
official action of the commission shall require a quorum.
D.(1) The commission shall have authority to employ such employees, experts, and
consultants as it may deem necessary to assist the commission in the discharge of its
responsibilities to the extent that funds are made available.
(2) Any district employee who is an emergency public safety telecommunicator who
provides communications support services for an agency by responding to requests for
assistance in emergencies may be considered a first responder.
E. In lieu of appointing a commission, as provided in this Section, the parish
governing authority may serve as the governing authority of a district located wholly within
the parish, in which case it shall assume all the powers and duties of the board of
commissioners as provided in this Chapter.
F. The members of the board of commissioners of Tangipahoa Communications
District Number 1 shall each receive a per diem of fifty dollars for attending meetings of the
board, for a maximum of one regular meeting per month and six special meetings per year.
Per diem paid pursuant to this Subsection shall be paid out of the funds of the district.

Legislative History

Added by Acts 1983, No. 550, §1. Acts 1991, No. 123, §1; Acts 1993, No. 212, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1001, §1; Acts 1997, No. 460, §1, eff. June 22, 1997; Acts 1999, No. 1029, §1, eff. July 9, 1999; Acts 2003, No. 391, §1, eff. June 18, 2003; Acts 2019, No. 389, §1; Acts 2022, No. 213, §1; Acts 2023, No. 189, §1, eff. June 8, 2023; Acts 2025, No. 165, §1.