2023 Tennessee Code › Title 64 - REGIONAL AUTHORITIES (§§ 64-1-101 — 64-11-101) › Chapter 2 - RAILROAD AUTHORITIES (§§ 64-2-101 — 64-2-414) › Part 1 - NORTH EAST TENNESSEE RAILROAD AUTHORITY (§§ 64-2-101 — 64-2-114) › Section 64-2-104 - Organization and operation - Board of directors - Officers and employees

The organization of the authority shall be as follows:
(1)
The authority shall be governed by a board of directors;
(2)
Membership of the board of directors shall consist of:
(A)
The county mayor of each county becoming a member of the authority, in accordance with §
64-2-102
; and
(B)
One (1) member to be selected by the governing body of each county becoming a member of the authority. The term of each selected member shall be prescribed by the governing body making the selection;
(3)
(A)
In the event of failure to elect a successor to any member of the board, the member whose term has expired shall continue to serve until the member's successor has been duly elected, as provided in this section;
(B)
In the event of the death or resignation of a member, or the member's inability to serve prior to the expiration of the member's term, the member's successor shall be elected for the unexpired term by the remaining members of the board, within thirty (30) days of the event; and
(C)
Any person at least twenty-five (25) years of age, who has resided within the boundaries of the authority for a period of at least one (1) year immediately preceding such person's election, shall be eligible to serve as a member. Any director who ceases to regularly reside within the boundaries of the authority shall automatically become ineligible to serve in such office;
(4)
Before entering upon their duties, all directors shall take and subscribe to the oath of office, as provided by the constitution and law for county and city officers. Copies of the oath of each director shall be filed with the county clerk of the applicable county;
(5)
(A)
A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum and the directors shall act by vote of a majority present at any meeting attended by a quorum. Vacancies among the directors shall not affect their power and authority, so long as a quorum remains. Within thirty (30) days after their election, as provided in this section, the directors shall hold a meeting to elect a chair. The directors shall hold meetings at such times and places as the directors may determine;
(B)
Special meetings may be called and held, upon such notice and in such manner as the board may, by resolution, determine. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the board shall establish its own rules of procedure;
(6)
The directors shall designate a secretary and a treasurer, or one (1) person as secretary-treasurer, and such person need not be a director. The secretary shall attend all regular and special meetings and keep minutes of the meetings. The minutes of meetings shall be available for inspection by the public at the office of the authority, at all reasonable times;
(7)
(A)
The board, by resolution, shall require the treasurer or the secretary-treasurer, to execute a bond with an approved corporate surety, in such amount as the board may specify, for the faithful performance of the treasurer's or the secretary-treasurer's duties and the accounting of all moneys and revenues that may come into the treasurer's or the secretary-treasurer's hands. Such bond shall be filed with the secretary of state;
(B)
The board, by resolution, may require all other subordinate officers or employees to execute such fidelity bonds for the faithful performance of their duties and the accounting of funds that may come to their hands, in such an amount, with such conditions and such sureties, as the board may determine;
(8)
All directors shall serve without compensation, but may receive any per diem allowance that may be appropriated by the governing body of the county electing a director, for such director. Reasonable expenses incurred by members of the board while engaged in the business of the authority are subject to reimbursement by the authority;
(9)
The directors shall be indemnified by the authority for any liability the directors might incur while acting in such capacity, other than for culpable negligence; and
(10)
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the directors shall be removable only for good cause, and after preferment of charges, as provided by law for county officers.
Acts 2005, ch. 396, § 5.