Section 279D-7 - Staff and funding(a) Each policy board shall appoint a full-time executive director of the metropolitan planning organization who shall be independent of state and county agencies, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary. Duties of the executive director may be established by the policy board or in the comprehensive agreement.(b) A policy board may employ staff as needed. The executive director shall be responsible for the hiring and management of staff. The executive director and staff for a metropolitan planning organization shall not be subject to chapter 76. All other benefits generally applicable to the officers and employees of the State shall apply to staff members of the metropolitan planning organization and be retroactive to the effective date of initial hiring for existing staff.(c) All employees of a metropolitan planning organization shall be exempt from chapter 76 but shall be eligible to receive the benefits of any state or federal employee benefit program generally applicable to officers and employees of the State.Added by L 2015, c 132,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2015.