Sec. 51.076. SELECTION OF DIRECTORS IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS

(a) In a district created after June 18, 1967, with boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of a county, the commissioners court may provide in the order granting the petition for creation that the directors are to be selected either as provided in Section 49.102 or by the "commissioners precinct method," which provides for the election of two directors from each commissioners precinct in the county and the election of one director from the county at large.

(b) If the commissioners court provides for the commissioners precinct method, it may appoint two qualified directors from each commissioners precinct and one director from the county at large, who shall serve until their successors are elected and have qualified. Except for the provisions of this subsection, Section 51.026 of this code applies to the appointment of the initial directors.

(c) The directors appointed by the commissioners court under Subsection (b) of this section shall order an election in the district on the second Tuesday in January following the creation of the district. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes in each precinct are the directors from that precinct, and the person receiving the highest number of votes from the county at large is the director at large.

(d) Of the two persons elected from each commissioners precinct, the person who receives the highest number of votes in each precinct shall serve for four years and until his successor is elected and has qualified, and the person receiving the second highest number of votes in each precinct shall serve for two years and until his successor is elected and has qualified. The person who is elected from the county at large shall serve for four years and until his successor is elected and has qualified. At each election after the first election, a person who is elected director shall serve for four years and until his successor is elected and has qualified.

(e) To be qualified for election as a director from a commissioners precinct, a person must be 21 years of age, a citizen of the state, and own land subject to taxation in the commissioners precinct from which he is elected.

(f) To be qualified for election as a director from the county at large, a person must possess the qualifications specified in Section 51.072 of this code.

(g) If a vacancy occurs in the office of director between regular elections, the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term at a special election in the director's precinct. The special election shall be called by a majority of the remaining members of the board within 8 days after the vacancy occurs and to be held not more than 40 days after the vacancy occurs.

(h) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all laws relating to the election and qualification of directors of a district shall govern and control the election and qualification of directors selected by the commissioners precinct method whether the precinct election is regular or special.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 110, ch. 58, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1971. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5212, ch. 951, Sec. 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1984; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 715, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.