This provision creates the Russell County Planning Commission and sets who may serve, how members are appointed, their term lengths, oath requirement, vacancy filling, and that members serve without compensation except reimbursable expenses.
There is created the Russell County Planning Commission which shall be composed of 13 members, all of whom shall be over the age of 25 years and each of whom shall be a qualified elector who resides in the county. Except for the members appointed by the Russell County Bar Association and the circuit judge, each appointed member shall reside outside of the corporate limits of any municipality in the county. Seven members shall be appointed by the Russell County Commission. One member shall be appointed by the Russell County Board of Education. One member, who may reside in the county at-large, shall be appointed by the Russell County Bar Association from its membership. One member, who may reside in the county at-large, shall be appointed by the circuit judge. One member shall be the county administrator. One member shall be the chair of the county commission. One member shall be appointed from the county commission at-large. Each member shall serve a term of six years or until his or her successor is duly appointed and qualified. Before taking office, each member shall subscribe to an oath as provided by law for public officials, and it shall be recorded in the office of the judge of probate. The initial members of the planning commission, except ex officio members, shall draw lots to determine the period of time each is to serve, and the terms of three shall expire two years from the date of the organization of the planning commission, and the terms of three shall expire four years from the date of the organization of the planning commission, and the terms of four shall expire six years from the date of the organization of the planning commission. In the event of a vacancy on the planning commission, it shall be filled as in the case of the original appointment. All members shall serve without compensation; however, reasonable and necessary expenses of the members shall be paid from the county general fund.