§ 1-73. Election of commissioners and terms; election of chairman and term; duties and powers of chairman; quorum; vacancies.

(a)

Members of the board of commissioners from Commissioner Districts 1, 3, and 5 shall be elected in the 2014 general election by the qualified electors of their respective districts, shall take office on January 1, 2015, and shall serve a term of office of four years and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Members of the board of commissioners from Commissioner Districts 2, 4, and 6 shall be elected in the 2014 general election by the qualified electors of their respective districts, shall take office on January 1, 2015, and shall serve a term of office of two years and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Thereafter, successors shall be elected at the general election immediately preceding the expiration of the term of office, shall take office on January 1 immediately following such election, and shall serve terms of office of four years and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. In the event that the office of a commissioner from Commissioner District 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 becomes vacant and the unexpired term is six months or less, the Governor shall appoint a qualified person to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term of office. If the unexpired term of office is more than six months, such vacancy shall be filled by a special election held in accordance with O.C.G.A., tit. 21, ch. 2, the Georgia Election Code.

(b)

The commissioner from District 7 shall be elected in the 2014 general election by the qualified electors of the entire county, shall take office on January 1, 2015, and shall serve a term of office of four years and until his or her respective successor is elected and qualified. Thereafter, a successor shall be elected at the general election immediately preceding the expiration of the term of office, shall take office on January 1 immediately following such election, and shall serve a term of office of four years and until his or her respective successor is elected and qualified. Such commissioner shall serve as chairperson of the board of commissioners. In the event that the office of chairperson becomes vacant and the unexpired term is six months or less, the Governor shall appoint a chairperson from among the members of the board to serve as chairperson for the remainder of the term. If the unexpired term is more than six months, such vacancy shall be filled by a special election held in accordance with O.C.G.A., tit. 21, ch. 2, the Georgia Election Code. The chairperson shall be a full voting member of the board of commissioners.

(c)

The chairperson of the board of commissioners shall have the following powers and duties:

(1)

To preside at meetings of the board of commissioners;

(2)

To serve as the official spokesperson for the board of commissioners;

(3)

To sign all official papers and other instruments and documents on behalf of the board of commissioners as directed or authorized by ordinance, resolution, or policy of the board of commissioners;

(4)

To make appointments of members of the board of commissioners to committees thereof and to make appointments to other committees, boards, or public authorities as authorized by law or by ordinance, resolution, or policy of the board of commissioners; and

(5)

To perform such other duties as may be provided by ordinance or resolution of the board of commissioners.

(d)

Four members of the board of commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but the affirmative vote of at least four commissioners shall be required for the board of commissioners to take official action.

(1880-81 Ga. Laws (Act No. 3), page 508, § 3; 1952 Ga. Laws (Act No. 814), page 2672, §§ 1, 2; 1973 Ga. Laws (Act No. 130), page 2462, § 1(3); 1974 Ga. Laws (Act No. 805), page 2128, § 2; 1982 Ga. Laws (Act No. 1012), page 4148, § 1(3); 1990 Ga. Laws (Act No. 972), page 4531, § 2; HB 171, Act No. 269)

State Law reference— Vacancies in office, O.C.G.A. § 36-5-21.

Note— See the editor's note to § 1-72.