61-16-08. Eligibility for appointment to board - Term of office - Removal - Filling vacancies - Compensation of managers

61-16-08. Eligibility for appointment to board - Term of office - Removal - Filling vacancies - Compensation of managers. 1. When a water resource district has been created, any resident landowner in the district, except a county commissioner, is eligible, subject to the provisions of this section, for appointment to the water resource board. After June 30, 1985, when the term of office of a district manager has expired, the manager's successor shall hold office for three years from the first day of January next following the date of the successor's appointment. The term of office of a manager does not terminate until the successor in office is appointed and qualified. In case the office of any district manager becomes vacant, the manager appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve the unexpired term of the manager whose office became vacant. Within three months after the start of an individual's term as a district manager, the individual shall attend a course on water management, and each district manager shall attend a course on water management every three years during the manager's term. 2. While performing duties as a member of a water resource board, each member is entitled to receive compensation of at least seventy-five dollars per day but not more than the rate set for a member of the legislative assembly under section 54-03-20, an allowance for meals at the same rates and under the same conditions as provided by law for state officials and employees, and reimbursement of lodging and other necessary travel expenses at the same rate and under the same conditions as provided by law for state officials and employees. A request for an allowance or reimbursement must be evidenced by a subvoucher or receipt as provided by section 21-05-01. 3. A manager may be removed from the board by the board of county commissioners after it appears to the board of county commissioners by competent evidence, and after a public hearing, if so requested by the manager subject to removal, at which hearing the manager must be apprised of and allowed ample opportunity to repudiate the evidence, that the manager has been guilty of misconduct, malfeasance, crime in office, neglect of duty in office, habitual drunkenness, gross incompetency, or inability to perform the duties of office for reasons of health.