(a) The Clay County Animal Shelter Authority is created for the purpose of providing animal control shelter services for dogs and cats in Clay County. For the purposes of this section, the term "animal control shelter services" means the control, removal, and containment of stray, at-large, or surrendered dogs and cats.
(b)(1) The authority shall be governed by a board of directors consisting of 10 members, who shall be residents of Clay County. Each member of the Clay County Commission shall appoint one of the members; each member of the legislative delegation serving Clay County shall appoint a member; and the Mayor of the City of Ashland and the Mayor of the City of Lineville shall each appoint one member. Subsequently, vacancies on the board shall be appointed by the same appointing authority who made the initial appointment.
(2) The initial terms of the directors shall be staggered, three shall be for a term of two years, three shall be for a term of three years, and four shall be for a term of four years.
(3) By May 30, 2021, the appointing authorities shall submit in writing the name and address of the members of the board of directors to the Judge of Probate of Clay County and the appointments shall be filed and maintained in the judge of probate. At the organizational meeting of the members of the board of directors, members shall select, by lot, the initial term for which each shall serve. The terms shall also be filed with the judge of probate. The members shall also elect from among the members, a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Each shall serve a period of one year, or until a successor is elected and qualified. The members shall not be bonded, except the treasurer, who shall obtain a bond. The terms of all members, subsequent to the initial terms, shall be four years. Members shall not serve more than two four-year terms.
(c) The authority may enter into contracts with governmental agencies or public or private entities for the operation and maintenance of a county pound or animal shelter. The authority may solicit and receive contributions, donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, and services from other government entities, corporations, partnerships, or individuals. All contributions, donations, and grants, including any money set aside for or appropriated to the authority by the county commission or the Legislature, shall be used solely to provide animal control shelter services in Clay County.