Section 324.9307 - Conservation district board; directors; chairperson; terms; annual meeting; election; notice; vacancies; certification; special election; quorum; expenses; employees; legal services; delegation of powers and duties; copies of documents; duties of board; eligibility for grant; duties of professional forester; rules; duties of conservation district; removal of director; designation and function of legislative representative(1) A conservation district board shall consist of 5 directors elected or appointed as provided in this part. The board shall designate a chairperson annually.(2) Except as provided in subsection (6), the term of office of each director is 4 years. Except as otherwise provided in this section, all directors shall be elected at an annual meeting by residents of the district. The election shall be nonpartisan and the directors shall be elected by the residents of the district at large. To become a candidate for director, at least 60 days prior to the annual meeting, an individual shall file at the district office a petition signed by 5 residents of the district. A candidate must be a resident of the district. The annual meeting shall be held at a date determined by the board. Notice of the annual meeting shall be published in the official newspaper of record for the area in which the district is located at least 45 days prior to the date of the annual meeting. This notice shall include the date, time, and location of the annual meeting, an agenda of items to be considered at the meeting, and a list of all candidates for directors of the district. A resident of a district who is unable to attend the annual meeting may vote for the directors of the district by absentee ballot as follows:(a) In person at the district office, during regular business hours of the district office, at any time after publication of the notice and prior to the annual meeting.(b) By mail received at the district office at any time after publication of the notice and prior to the annual meeting.(3) Following the annual meeting, director elections shall be certified by the department. A director shall hold office until a successor has been elected and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the board until the next annual meeting.(4) The department shall notify the district of its determination on election certification within 90 days after the election. If the department does not certify the director election, the board shall call a special election. The procedures for the special election shall be the same as those for an election at the annual meeting. However, if the board received notification that the department would not be able to certify the director elections from a special election at least 120 days before the next annual meeting, the vacancies shall be filled at the next annual meeting.(5) A majority of the directors constitutes a quorum of the board, and the concurrence of a majority in any matter within their duties is required for the board's determination. A director is entitled to expenses, including traveling expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of his or her duties. A director may be paid a per diem for time spent undertaking his or her duties as a director.(6) If at any time the board has an insufficient number of directors to constitute a quorum, the department shall appoint directors to fill the vacancies on the board. The appointed directors shall serve until new directors are elected as provided for in this section at the next annual meeting and the election is certified by the department. However, new directors who are elected to fill vacancies shall serve for the remainder of the vacated terms.(7) The board may employ a secretary, technical experts, and such other officers, agents, and employees, permanent and temporary, as the board may require, and shall determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. Upon request of the board, the attorney general may, at his or her discretion, provide legal services to the district. The board may delegate to its chairperson, to 1 or more directors, or to 1 or more agents or employees any powers and duties that the board considers proper. The board shall furnish to the department, upon request, copies of ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, contracts, forms, and other documents that the board adopts or utilizes and any other information concerning the board's activities that the department may require in the performance of its duties under this part.(8) The board shall do all of the following:(a) Provide for the execution of surety bonds for all district employees and officers who are entrusted with funds or property.(b) Provide for the keeping of a full and accurate record of all proceedings and of all resolutions, regulations, and orders issued or adopted.(c) Determine the fiscal year of the district.(9) To be eligible for a grant of $50,000.00 or more from the department, a district shall do all of the following: (a) Annually submit to the department a budget setting forth the purpose and amount of the expenses expected to be incurred and the source and amount of revenue expected to be received during the ensuing fiscal year.(b) Maintain accurate financial records of receipts and disbursements and uniform accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles under procedures prescribed by the department.(c) Provide for a biennial independent certified audit by a certified public accountant of the financial records, accounts, and procedures of the district. The audit report shall show profits and losses and the financial condition of the district.(d) Agree to comply with subsection (10), and agree to return any grant funds received if subsection (10) is violated.(10) A professional forester employed under a grant described in subsection (9) shall not use his or her position to do either or both of the following: (a) Compete with a private sector business.(b) Develop a client base for forestry consultation during hours when he or she is not employed by the district.(11) The department may promulgate rules to implement subsection (9). However, rules promulgated under this subsection shall remain in effect not later than June 11, 2016.(12) The board is responsible for the exercise of the powers and the performance of the duties of a conservation district under this part.(13) Any director may be removed by the department upon notice and hearing for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office, but for no other reason.(14) The board may invite the legislative body of any municipality or county located near the territory comprised within the district to designate a representative to advise and consult with the board on all questions of program and policy that may affect the property, water supply, or other interests of the municipality or county.Amended by 2013, Act 114,s 1, eff. 9/24/2013.Amended by 2013, Act 45,s 4, eff. 6/6/2013.Amended by 2004, Act 439, s 1, eff. 12/21/2004.Add. 1995, Act 60, Imd. Eff. 5/24/1995 ;--Am. 1998, Act 463, Eff. 6/1/1999 ;--Am. 2002, Act 107, Imd. Eff. 3/27/2002.